Blogger: Nancy Fraioli, “Queen of Ageless Wisdom”
The old feeling of watching the ‘apple’ or ‘ball’ fall, (here in Sarasota it’s the pineapple),
always gives me warm, pleasant, fuzzy sensations, as well as affection. When the countdown is completed, and loved ones have been hugged, toasts have been drunk, and a tear or two have dried, I mentally review my new to do list for myself.
I will admit I have too much on my list so I will start with two. The two that will create major changes in my life!
The purpose and the wisdom of wiping the slate clean is to restart our lives anew! Remove all the cobwebs of yesteryear which have been entrapped in the attics of our minds. An oppressive job; pushing and removing weaves of webbing caught, forever, in our daily thoughts. To make a list of thoughts and deeds to change is easy but to do, is difficult!
Imagine, if you will, going to your attic or storeroom, and rediscovering an old mosaic so
blanketed with the heavy gray mold of yesterday, that it has lost all of its gloss and beauty! That’s what negative thinking does and what, eventually, becomes our anchor. Follow me and together we can remove, once and for all, the stains that have held us back from a bright future. As we wipe away the snares which are keeping us prisoners of old and decayed beliefs, we must let a new bright light into our thinking process.
I’d like to begin with a famous and poignant quote by Fulton Oursler.
“MANY OF US CRUCIFY OURSELVES BETWEEN TWO THIEVES:
REGRET FOR THE PAST AND FEAR OF THE FUTURE”
Regret and Fear are like heavy leg chains. They both slow us down and most times stop us! Remember the “stained glass!” We must gently clean away the entangled webbing with special cleaners or just a gentle rubbing of a soft cloth so the light can, once again, reveals all the bright colors and picturesque drawings. Remember, regret and fear can be, in our minds, taints of guilt! Regret and Fear are the cobwebs of a time past. Why, then, do we choose to shackle ourselves to yesterday?
Now it’s your choice; live in the light or dwell in the dark? Time to break loose!
I have chosen two new words to release me from yesterday’s fate. Two words to uplift me: FORGIVENESS AND KINDNESS
Forgive the past and this will satisfy most of yesterday’s ill thoughts and deeds! It will! Forgiving and kindness are my new thoughts (tools) for the future. These two words ‘uplift’ a soul, and let all the light in! Like a polished stain glass window!
A most brilliant writer, Mark Twain, left these words for us to remember, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” What a wonderful gift we give ourselves when we keep a gentle soul! All things start with self.
I am aware that I can hurt people with my words, gestures, ungratefulness, and deeds.
Knowing this should help me stay on the straight and narrow. My prayers and new thoughts must be the cloudless and transparent vehicles for my now and my future. Recall the stain glass window; when fully cleaned it reveals its true beauty. Forgiveness is a gift! Forgive all your hurts of yesterday!
“Forgiveness is the needle that knows how to mend.” – Jewel
The Daily Feels commemorated “12-Days of Kindness”! However, Kindness should not have a timeline, but what I learned was astounding! Yes, kindness should be an everyday
characteristic. But, when we are pressed for time, we can easily lose sight of kindness. While our intellect dictates one thing, sometimes our irrational thought or
‘nerves-pressure’ speak another language. You know, like the crud on the stain-glass window! I learned that being the recipient of “kindness” is so rewarding! It makes one’s day! Kindness, like an unexpected gift, is magical! Whether your kindness is with prayer, card, letter, deed, word, donation or just a random gift to an unknown soul, you are on the right track. The perfect gift. I was also surprised at letters I received and how good they made me feel.
Whether it’s Christmas or any other time, always remember how good it ‘feels’ to be a recipient of kindness. It makes both giver and receiver glow and shine, like our stain glass window! Remembering this helps us stay on track. Thank you to The Daily Feels for the “12-Days of Kindness” tribute! Bravo! A beautiful reminder!
May all your tomorrows be filled with bright colors, with a new awareness of forgiveness and kindness! Forgive the hurts of the past, and call in “love” to light up and heal us.
To all, I wish a beautiful New Year filled with much kindness and forgiveness! Let’s recall Auld Lang Syne and its real meaning! “And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne!”. BRING KINDNESS AND FORGIVENESS IN THE NEW YEAR.
Nancy Fraioli is a retired Benefits Asst. from Town/Village of Harrison, NY. She’s alive and well, residing in Sarasota with her daughter and family and enjoying the Floridian lifestyle daily.
Her passions are writing, reading books of philosophy, children’s stories and poetry. Her deep love is living, learning and sharing how faith, meditation, and music guide her daily life. And she loves to lunch with the ladies!