  Spiritual
This week: Free Hugs Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. I'm Shannon and I'm honored to be your guest editor this week.
"Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you--not because they are nice, but because you are."
~ Author Unknown |
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I remember how I felt as I watched the news in the days following 9/11. For a few glorious days there was no black or white, no rich or poor, no Christian or athiest. We didn't notice our differences; we only saw our similarities. We came together as one nation and one race: the human race. We opened our hearts and reached out to comfort strangers, knowing that they would comfort us in return. I remember wishing it would last, knowing it wouldn't, and savoring it while it did.
How have we changed as a nation in the past ten years? Are we more loving, accepting, open-minded people? What have we learned about ourselves and the world around us?
A few weeks ago two of my son's friends went to the mall with "free hugs" signs taped to their shirts. Within minutes mall security asked them to remove the signs. Shortly thereafter they were asked to leave. The boys, aged 17 and 18, drove straight from the mall to my house to tell me what had happened. I was appalled. I thought, You mean to tell me it's okay to wear pants that bag down to your knees and t-shirts with skulls and expletives on them, but it's not okay to offer free hugs? Is this what we've become--suspicious of kindness and wary of decency?
I love those Liberty Mutual commercials. You know the ones--a lady grabs the pizza delivery guy before he steps into oncoming traffic; a man helps a young woman get her bulky baby stroller off the bus; a woman walking down the sidewalk kicks a basketball back into her neighbor's front yard before the two boys chase it into the street; a man opens a dryer in a laundromat and rushes after the previous user to return some money he'd left inside; a woman gives up her seat on the bus to a man and his young daughter; a man drops some change into a parking meter as the person who parked there digs through his pockets. I remember tearing up the first time I saw these "pay it forward" commercials. I still do, actually. I wish the world could really be that way ... that people really did look out for each other like that.
I have no control over what other people say or do. I only have control over what I say and what I do and how I respond to what other people say and do. I felt compelled to share the boys' story with my community, so I posted it on my facebook page. Within a few days an acquaintance of mine had organized a "Free Hugs" event at the very same mall (scheduled for October 8), and people I've never even met have promised to attend.
I don't know about you, but there isn't a day that goes by that I couldn't use a hug, so it stands to reason that I'm not so different from everyone else. We can all make the world a better place one small act of kindness, one considerate personal encounter, one compassionate hug at a time. Sometimes it just takes a 17-year-old boy to remind us of that.
Thank you for reading.
P.S. I'll let you know how the event on October 8 turns out, and for those of you who haven't heard of the "Free Hugs" movement, I encourage you to watch the original video here --just make sure you have your tissues nearby.
Peace and blessings. |
Please enjoy this week's featured selections and remember to do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
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Feedback
The following is in response to "Spiritual Newsletter (August 3, 2011)" :
Annie  says, "Oh, thank you for writing this beautiful newsletter! It was smooth, rich, and reflective. I will honestly hold this as a magnifier to my life. Awesome writing!" Thank YOU for your beautiful words, Annie I appreciate your kindness very much.
Zeke  says, "Often God's purpose for us is accomplished and we never realize it." Yes, sometimes that is very much the case. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment, Zeke .
Light says, "Very nice newsletter, Shannon! Asking yourself how your next act will affect a total stranger is a great question to ask oneself. But, I wouldn't stop with that question. You might also ask yourself how your next act will affect those that you associeate with, your family, and the next time you look in the mirror. The love of God includes eneryone, equally." I couldn't agree more, Light . We so often put others first that we forget to be gentle and kind to ourselves. Thank you for the excellent reminder!
fulldazegal says, "Is it okay to share your thoughts in Bible class at church?" Absolutely! I would be honored. Thank you so much.
saheli says, "Shannon, a heart warming newsletter!!! The 'How will I be remembered?' mantra makes us do all kind things that God wants us to do. I enjoyed reading this article, and I would like to follow this in true spirit." Thank you for your beautiful words of encouragement and support, my friend. Namaste.
shepherd46 says, "Wonderful piece on how a person wants to be remembered! I would like to be remembered--and actually, it's the way I live--as a kind, caring person who kept on giving no matter how the receiver acted upon receiving the kindness." Me too, shepherd46. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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Spiritual: September 28, 2011 Issue [#4630]
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