“When you mess up-fix it, when you fail-fall forward and learn, when you suffer loss-heal and always pay it forward”
~ Val Uchendu
As you may know, I've been away from my desk and my home for the past week. My husband explained that in a "guest touchstone" he posted a few days ago.
I used Uber a lot during the past seven days and enjoyed conversations with diverse drivers.
My Uber ride to the Atlanta airport yesterday was with a young woman who recently moved out of domestic violence shelter to begin a new life with her three children.
She would be dead if her husband, who is now in jail, had had a gun that night, she said. Or, he might be dead if she'd had the gun.
Despite the repeated violence she experienced, Brenna exuded joy. In part, it was because she finally felt safe and free. But mostly it was due to "Pay It Forward" - the film she watched many times and the practice she developed from it.
Everyday Brenna looks for ways to spread joy, kindness and helpfulness. She might give away bus tokens, share cigarettes, hold doors for people. "Whatever I can do to lighten someone's load even just a little," she said.
Today, like Brenna but in our own way, let's spread joy by offering help when we see a need, by practicing acts of kindness, and by paying it
forward.
Toward healing and peace for all,
Charlene
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JOY: May it keep your heart open and filled with light.
