Mindfulness in practice isn’t always easy to achieve. The 5th dreary winter’s day in a row and anyone can be forgiven for throwing their hands up in dismay and refusing to look around.
Or perhaps once my heart was opened by a chance encounter, I had a whole new lens for looking at the world.
These feelings don’t last, and they aren’t meant to. We can’t be happy or inspired or joyful all the time.
But it’s nice to share when we are instead of only being driven by the not-so-nice sides of life. Sometimes sharing reminds us to be that little bit more open to the good in the world.
So, in this surprise blog post that burst out of me this evening, here are the magical things I experienced today:
- Walked out of my office and saw this awesome ‘Against Domestic Violence’ yarnbomb (main photo). I was reminded that there’s a bunch of women in the Western Melbourne region from all backgrounds coming together to activate a campaign, and it was great to see how bright, effective and meaningful it was.
- Ran into a previous client from way back when I was a youth worker. We haven’t seen each other in years, and he proudly told me about all he has survived, all he has pulled himself up from, and how he is now a youth worker himself (and doesn’t mind who knows where he came from). Wow!
- Witnessed a group of Pasifika young people showcase a day they ran for school-age kids, with the surprising impact of educating teachers about how to engage better and be more culturally appropriate with Islanders (and so generous of the group).
- Crossed paths with 3 other completely unconnected and unexpected humans from my life, all of whom brought a moment of awesome into my day- how lucky was I.
- Had a laugh with a harassed-looking woman serving at a Lincraft sale who was sick of all the ‘snatchers’. Wondering where the Snatchers live when they’re not stalking Lincraft sales?
- Saw a rushing tradie suddenly stop and give a homeless man some money. They smiled at each other and exchanged a respectful ‘hello mate’.
- Heard a young woman performing CeeLo’s less sweary ‘Forget You’ in the mall, and noticed customers singing along to themselves as they shopped. I may have too…
- Typed up a list of Acts of Resistance collected by women survivors of family violence, and in re-writing their words was overwhelmed by their courage and their love and generosity towards each other, and for women they don’t even know who may read this list and add to it in the future.
Sometimes the world is pretty Ok… Even in weird and unexpected places we can find a sprig of joy. Sometimes strength, kindness and beauty can pop out of the clouds on an otherwise unremarkable grey Melbourne day.
I hope a black cloud of bad luck or a fog of self-doubt or the trap of trauma is lifted for you also, even just for a moment, to experience a little magic in your life.
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