Gentleness - Don't
you just love it?
Children are the most honest critics, aren't they? They are able to sense the true character of
those they interact with; They are attracted to playfulness and gentleness,
especially when they find those qualities in surprising people or creatures,
like a great big friendly giant or a fierce monster who just needs someone to
pull a thorn out of its paw!
Throughout my life, I have been blessed to have so many
family members, teachers and friends who
exemplify those positive qualities, despite the thorns that have caused them
pain.
Their presence surrounds others with comfort and
encouragement as we all struggle to share our gifts with the world. They are the ones that we miss the most when
they are no longer with us, those faces
graced by warm gentle smiles and mischievous twinkling eyes.
Fear and
disappointment will always be there, knocking at our door, wanting to take over our agendas
and drown our inspirations, placing the blame squarely on others. It is
up to us to choose how we answer those knocks; whether we open up to let intolerance in with its negative view of
others and of ourselves, or do we take a breath and wait a few extra minutes for the chime of gentleness to ring.
I hope that gentleness and good humour will
win out in the battle for my attitude and that I will be courageous enough to
pull out as many thorns as I can. Tweezers
up!
Apologies to Dylan
Thomas:
Let me go gently
As I walk through this life,
Adding no harshness,
Bringing no strife;
When fear walks in boldly,
Disguised as my friend,
Carrying anger
As it tries to pretend
That it came to protect me,
That I need to strike out,
Then, let me strike fear instead,
Turn it about,
And catch it off guard
With a warm, gentle smile,
Replacing its gloom
With the hope of a child.
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