World Peace

One act of kindness I was on the receiving end of yesterday was a friend, who I know needed to be somewhere else, unhesitatingly offering to come over and be with me. That is one of many ways we show each other on a daily basis that we are significant to others. I don't think it's just me who sometimes has those doubts, “do I really matter?” The answer of course for each and every one of us is an unwavering “YES” And I guess it's good for us to look at what would have us doubt that and work on knowing it for ourselves. But until each of us have got to that place of confident trust, there are so many little things we each do for each other to remind our loved ones and strangers that their presence in our lives makes a difference. I suspect that if we're absorbed by (or even slightly distracted by) our fear – “am I really wanted in this friendship/workplace/universe?” – it's that much harder to fully delight in the others who are here in it too (this plays out in tensions at national and international levels as well as in our homes). I know that's when jealousies surface - if we feel we're not prioritised by (or listened to well, or get to spend time with) our boss/friends/family/government, it can play into our insecurities - does someone else matter more? And so I think that's all we need, to start believing that no matter what has gone on for us up to this point, the truth is we have significance. I know I keep banging on about this – maybe I'm trying to drum it into my own heart – but I do see the doubt in others too. And maybe that's my solution for world peace, just let every single human being know they have a place. I know it's not straightforward tho - it's not brought about by treating people the same as we have uneven starting points, and we do prioritise how much time/resources we spend on different people cos we all have different needs at different times.
I think we can create many opportunities to show others they matter: a smile, a donation to people we don't know, changing the empty toilet roll, letting a driver into the heavy flow of traffic, making someone a brew, taking time to listen by turning away from the screen – the list is only as limited as our imaginations. Yay for everyone who does anything today to show you that you matter. Yay for everytime you are able to notice those little things others have done and appreciate them for it (rather than focus on where we wish they'd done more/something else!!). And yay for anything we do that reminds ourselves that we matter to ourselves too :D