A Glass Full of Water

 

A GLASS FULL OF WATER is a blog ABOUT US, whoever we are and wherever we may be in the world. It is about KINDNESS.

It is full of personal observations, experiences and insights about caring for people in our daily lives. Opportunities to be kind, thoughtful, compassionate and empathetic are all around us. I guess it’s about doing little things with a lot of love. Kindness can be about being friendly, generous, considerate and putting other people before ourselves. Sometimes to be kind means to be courageous and sometimes it’s showing strength in the face of pain and grief. My blog is not sensational nor should it be. Showy kindness is never mentioned. I have included no on-going images to match the stories. All stories are real and carry their own truths. I have been a part of many of the stories and so have my family, friends and neighbours. Much of my sharing is about the importance of relationship and connection. Hopefully each story is quietly inspiring and for some stories, appropriately challenging. My hope and desire is that shared experiences and stories will morph to show the infinite layers and nuances of kindness. Readership continues to steadily grow and my blog is now being read in 25 countries. Thanks everyone. I appreciate and value your feedback and encouragement as you come with me on our kindness journey with no end.

Keep in mind that in essence each story is saying, ‘Treat each other like you would like to be treated’ 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My wife Val and I have three amazing daughters, Sarah, Rebeccah and Ruth and eight delightful grandchildren. I have five siblings and a large extended family. I love to be kind and I find great joy in encouraging people and seeing them succeed. I live with Val in Raglan on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. We live in and belong to a diverse, inclusive, caring community. 

I am a teacher and author and have taught in primary schools, a high school and tertiary institutions in New Zealand and a primary school in Australia. In addition, I have also worked/taught in short term education/humanitarian aid work in Africa and India and I currently teach part-time at Te Uku Primary School, 10 kms east of Raglan.

As you read my blog, my hope is that you see that kindness works and is an appropriate response to an increasingly hurting and divided world. I will post a new story every Thursday.

My first story is called A GLASS FULL OF WATER. The story was given to me by my twin brother, Chris. 

Chris was in an Auckland cafe. He noticed a bedraggled man walking slowly to the counter. The man reached over to a glass full of water sitting on the counter. He must have been thirsty because the glass was emptied in a few seconds. The man then turned and walked slowly out. No words were exchanged. Chris was intrigued by what he had just seen.

He approached one of the staff closest to the counter and asked, “Does the thirsty guy come in often?”

“Everyday at the same time.” was the reply.

POINTS to PONDER

The man’s need to quench his thirst was met. Kindness meets needs.

The culture of the cafe was inclusive. The man was not judged and was in a safe place. 

In the context of this story, words are not as important as actions.