Have you done something kind today?

Every 14th of the month is my lucky day…

because 14 is my lucky number! 🤗

I woke up this morning with an intense feeling of gratitude, and while sitting silently for a while, I couldn't stop counting my blessings: The fact that I have a roof over my head and enough food on the table, a super supportive husband and an amazing set of family and friends by my side, many many animals in and outside the house, and for the first time since I graduated from school (and that's quite a while ago!) enough time on my hands to explore all courses and books that have piled up over the years, and I wanted to learn about.
I decided to make the most out of the situation and to live my heart out in these weird, home-bound times. 💖

However, this is a very privileged way of life, and certainly not the case for the majority of people around us. Globally, we can already see the divide of suffering and poverty increase as a direct result of the COVID-crisis. Migrant workers who lost jobs, homes, and family members, and / or who depend on daily or weekly income and have no savings to sustain much further, Kirana store and other small businesses owners who struggle to maintain their businesses and thus the employment of many other people, or street animals that go hungry... just to mention a few. It us up to all of us, who have the luxury of time, education and wealth (meaning: we can sustain ourselves, and don't fall into a financial existential crisis just yet) to help and share wherever we can. 🙏💖🌿

Thus, I want to invite you today to a small exercise.

Step 1 - I found this lovely track a while ago, and am listening to it regularly. "Om Shri Anantaha" is a mantra dedicated to Lord Vishnu – the protector of the universe in Hindu mythology. The file is 12 minutes long - so take this time, sit down, close your eyes, and really focus on counting all your blessings. You will not only realise how many good things are there in your life RIGHT NOW despite the various restrictions and concerns, but you will also open your eyes after it with a big smile on your face. In any case, it is a wonderful start into the day. 🙏💖

Step 2 - Decide on three small actions of kindness today - and then do them without over-thinking them. Feed the dogs and cats outside your house with e.g. some extra rice that you can spare. Find out about a local NGO in your vicinity and donate money or offer the help they need (best is to call them and confirm what is required). In most cases, 1000 INR can already make a huge difference (and for us, just a short while ago, it was just ONE drink in a bar)! If you know about a lonely older person in your neighbourhood, make the effort to talk to them through the balcony or find out their phone number, or bake a small cake for them (as everyone seems to make banana bread these days 😅!) ... You will see, the opportunities for helping are plenty, if you put your mind and intention to it. Do it out of love, and as a small but necessary step towards a future in which we hopefully can reduce all kinds of divides. 🌺

Let me know how it went, and what acts of kindness you shared with the world.. I would love to learn from you and get inspired by your lovely souls and deeds. 🌸

With love from Goa,
Isabelle 🌿