A Glass Full of Water

My younger sister Cathy told me this story.  She was catching up with a friend in a Warkworth cafe. They sat in the back, sharing their family news and exchanging Christmas presents. An elderly woman sat nearby and Cathy couldn’t help but notice her sad face. They continued to talk and every now and then my sister would glance over at her. A waitress arrived at the woman’s table and Cathy overheard her ask if she was doing anything for Christmas. Sadly, she wasn’t. The waitress then gave her a timely, compassionate hug. The woman smiled and hugged back and tears welled up in Cathy’s eyes as she was deeply touched by this kind action. My sister knows that she is a richer person by what she had seen. POINTS to PONDER Should a waitress hug a customer? In this situation, too right. She responded in an entirely appropriate way. The customer needed a hug and got one. An act of kindness such as this, goes a long way in helping people to feel loved.  Share your own kindness story w...

I am fascinated by people and love listening to their stories. Sometimes I think there is no such a thing as six degrees of separation.  The art of conversation is revived as we natter about our lives and experiences.  We all make mistakes. Some we share with others and some we don’t. Sooner or later our choices, actions and mistakes have consequences. Recently I got talking to a stranger in Raglan (no surprise there!). He was a big guy with tattoos and an interesting history. He told me he was a ‘501’ and had recently been ‘exported’ (deported) from Australia. I said “Welcome to Raglan.” Smiling back he said, “It was now much easier to be good.” We laughed together at his telling comment and with a generous handshake we parted company. I probably won’t see him again, but I reckon he’s given himself a chance to be a better person.  POINTS to PONDER Don’t be too quick to judge people. We have all done dumb, stupid things, and, for some, committed criminal acts in our pas...

Being kind can mean doing lots of little things to help people during their/our daily lives.  Here’s a few ideas to get you thinking and maybe doing. Write a personalised card to someone to perhaps say ‘well done’ or ‘thank you’, as such messages are welcomed with gratitude and often an awww response. Nobody puts an email message on the fridge.  Open the door/hold the door for someone walking next to or behind you and do this regardless of   age or gender.  Had a great meal at a cafe or restaurant? Thank the kitchen staff as these hidden people make it all happen, sometimes under a lot of pressure.  Be the first person to empty the dishwasher at your place of work and save someone else the trouble.  Notice people organising themselves for a photo of their good times together? Offer to take a group photo, so no-one misses out.  Do your neighbours lawns if they are away for a long time. You get a bit sweaty, but you probably needed the workout anyway....

Road cycling can be fun and dangerous.  I was heading out on a hot Sunday afternoon training ride of about 60 kms, taking in roads around Lake Karapiro. Approaching a five road intersection all was good. Then not so good. A car approaching on my left suddenly smashed into me. The impact hurled me through the windscreen then off the car bonnet and onto the unforgiving road. The pain was excruciating and I couldn’t move from the neck down… Very quickly, police, ambulance and a stranger arrived.  I watched him walk over to his car and pull out an umbrella to shield me from the sun. No words were exchanged. Nor did there need to be. I remain deeply touched by his compassionate action.  My body went into shock when I was hit by the car but within an hour I had full movement back. So relieved and happy to be alive. My helmet was destroyed, my left ankle fractured and have laceration scars still visible today, reminding me  of the fragility of life.  POINTS to PON...

I love to hear what students have to say as their thoughts on life are often inspiring and challenging.  I remember teaching about the Poverty Cycle to my Year 10 Social Studies class. Diagrams and explanations were ready but I instinctively knew that my lesson still lacked something. Perhaps I should ask one of my ex-refugee students to tell us a story about their lives growing up in difficult circumstances. John was a very quiet, diligent African student and  to my surprise  he agreed to speak and without any preparation began to tell a story about life in his village. John stood proudly and spoke with conviction and honesty about having to get water every day for his family from a well a few kilometres away.  The class was silent.  He described how his shoulders hurt, the oppressive heat, dangers on the way and no guarantee of finding water. John was brilliant. His voice carried words of truth, pain and joy. There wasn’t a hint of self pity.  When he fin...