Acts of Kindness

I was reading lists of people's daily acts of kindness. Sometimes the smallest act, can really change the way someone is feeling, and in turn, may encourage them to do something kind for someone else. This is a very basic principle, most of us have heard this before.

One of the greatest things about living here is that I can spend so much time every day cultivating my body, my spirit, and my emotions. I feel as though I've really begun to know who I am. But also while being here, I've made so many friends, and met so many amazing people.

I feel as though I've become a bit jaded, a bit cynical, while living in China, and it really bothers me. I'm sure this happens to many people as they get older. I know it's due to experience, but lately I've been forgetting to focus on all the great things going on around me. There's plenty to be thankful for. I've been so busy thinking of ways to improve my body, that I've forgotten that I'm also here to cultivate my character. In some ways, it's really difficult to put so much effort into relationships with all the people around me. But it's amazingly rewarding, if I just open my heart and remember.

"The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear" ~Daniel Defoe

Encouragement From a Young Woman

As I was reading the blog of a friend of mine, I realized why I like to follow her. She doesn't write much, and we don't keep in close touch, but I find her very inspiring. You know the funny thing is, that we're very different people, going through very different things at this point in our lives. But I guess that's one of the reasons I find it so exciting to read what's going on in her life. I often try to remember what I was like through different stages in my life. I find that looking back can sometimes help me move forwards.

We had a group of German tourists come through the temple a couple of months ago, and after we got past all the regular conversation pieces (where are you from, what are you doing here, etc.) they asked me some really great questions. Questions that I've never had a tourist ask me before. "Do you feel different than before you came here?" I answered very candidly that I couldn't possibly compare the person I was 5 years ago to the person I am now. And I really believe this to be true. When I think back to myself at 23, I look back at a totally different person than I am today, and it really encourages me.

This is why my friend is so inspiring. She's in grade 9, and she's awesome. So when I think about the person she might be when she's my age, or even by the time she reaches 20, it gives me something to look forward to. Some hope for her future, and my own.