Ropes

“The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” – William Wordsworth

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” – Barbara De Angelis

While snowshoeing, I saw a family walking from the ski hill to their car. A Dad with a rope pulling a child on skis and a Mom with two kids on her arm and holding a hand to pull them along as well. All three could have taken off their skis and walked on their own, but their parents pulled them along patiently, generously and lovingly.

It was a sweet gesture reminding me of how each of us can extend a rope to pull another, an arm to walk with someone on the path, an ear to listen fully present. We share the road and are connected on our journey. We can both walk along side another and continue our own journey simultaneously.

The gift of the ropes of listening without solving, guiding without advice, saying nothing so the other can hear their own voice by speaking it aloud is more than enough. Simple gestures of a smile, a call, a card make a difference, start a ripple that always returns to the giver.

Be kind and generous while not picking up rocks that are not yours to carry. Extend a rope of kindness to others and self. And cut ropes that anchor, hold back and bind.

“Be kind to yourself, dear—to our innocent follies. Forget any sounds or touch you knew that did not help you dance. You will come to see that all evolves us.” —Rumi