It is the little unexpected moments

that change how we see the world, and how the world sees us.

The other day in line at Safeway, the woman ahead of me looked frazzled and exhausted. The line was long, and her little boy was tired and whiny (been there). The boy threw a bag of something on the ground for like the 5th time. She turned around almost expecting a grumpy old lady to say something, but instead, I picked it up, handed it to her, and just smiled. She smiled back. That was it.

But I swear, the air shifted.

These tiny kindnesses? They matter.

They ripple out and touch those we can’t even see.

We don’t always see the impact.

But we feel it.

So do they, and they might pass it on in some way, some other time.

That’s the goal of this next phase of my life, sharing these tiny bits of mindfulness.

To help us relax a little, be less stressed and rushed, ready to jump on others because we can.

These little micro-doses of mindful awareness are about the beauty that can exist in such a simple moment. No fireworks, just quiet noticing and a smile.

Let’s keep doing that. One moment at a time. If you want to know more, just ask, or follow, or subscribe. It’s a little lonely here sometimes, but I’m feeling like I’m finding my people here, and I hope you do too.

Be well, be happy, be kind, and not necessarily in that order!

(image Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Strong Woman and Child, 1925)