Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. ~ Dalai Lama
Copyright © 2013 by Enver Rahmanov
I was going through some old files the other day and came across a beautiful little poem written by my dear friend, Jerry Buchanan, many years ago.
Jerry is gone now, but in his lifetime he was a legendary figure in the world of writing and publishing. He graciously mentored me when I was a new young writer. Throughout the years he did the same for thousands of others. Jerry was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.
As we begin another new year, I’m excited about the powerful energies and opportunities awaiting us in 2015. This is a time like no other in human history, a time of truly new beginnings.
So I want to share Jerry’s poem with you today. His ideas and words, though not new, are powerful guideposts and reminders as we launch into this exciting new era.
Living and Giving
by Jerry Buchanan
Whatever you give away today
Or think or say or do
Will multiply about tenfold
And then return to you.
It may not come immediately
Nor from the obvious source
But the Law applies unfailingly
Through some invisible force.
Whatever you feel about another,
Be it love or hate or passion,
Will surely bounce right back to you
In some clear (or secret) fashion.
If you speak about some person
A word of praise or two,
Soon, tens of other people
Will speak kind words of you.
Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul,
Not secrets of the brain.
Kind ones bring us happiness;
Petty ones, untold pain.
Giving works as surely as
Reflections in a mirror.
If hate you send, hate you’ll get back
But loving brings love nearer.
Remember, as you start this day
And duty crowds your mind,
That kindness comes so quickly back
To those who first are kind.
Let that thought and this one
Direct us through each day . . .
The only things we ever keep
Are the things we give away.
Copyright © 1967 by Jerry Buchanan
Founder, TOWERS Club, USA
Vancouver, Washington, USA
If you know someone who could benefit from this post, please forward it to them with a personal note.
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Enjoy this video, Simple Acts of Kindness:
Copyright © 2012 by John Cali, revised 2019
What can you do to bring more kindness into the lives of others, and your own life?
Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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Done. Thank you, John. Perfect message today and forever. Touched my heart.
You’re most welcome, Pat!
Hi Elaine! I couldn’t have said it better myself! I’ve expressed to John how grateful I am that our paths have crossed. It’s the kindness of others that makes our lives better, and us better people.
I know this post wasn’t meant to be about you, and that you are a very humble man, John, but we can steal a little part of it to show you our love. (Smile)
Tracy, thank you so much for your kind words!
I appreciate that you and Elaine “steal a little part of it to show you our love.”
My love goes to you both!
Tracy, I would like to heartily agree with you that John is truly one of the kindest souls. You see how his kindness, compassion and absolute caring for all beings and Mother Earth are manifested in what he shares with us and in his own words. So deeply grateful he’s walking this path with us.
Thank you very much, Elaine, for your kind words — I really appreciate it. I’ll let Tracy respond to you directly.
Really loved this, John. Perfect then and now, especially in the times we’re living in. May I copy and share your friend, Jerry’s, poem on Facebook.
Love and hugs
Thank you, Pat. I agree — much more kindness is needed in our modern world.
It would be fine for you to copy Jerry’s poem. Just add the copyright info as I have it:
Copyright © 1967 by Jerry Buchanan
Founder, TOWERS Club, USA
Vancouver, Washington, USA
Thanks very much, Pat!
Love and hugs,
John
What a beautiful poem. I’m sure that it brings joy to Jerry, knowing that his poem is still being shared and uplifting people.
I think being kind to ourselves will help to bring more kindness to others. I like to think that I’m just naturally kind to others. The impulse that arises from my heart, is quicker than the thought, ‘This will make me feel good.’ Although, every act of kindness does make me feel good.
Thank you for another wonderful share, John. By the way, you are one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met, and you inspire me to be even more kind to myself, and to others.
Much love to you!
Thanks very much, Tracy! Jerry has since left the physical realm, but he (and his work) live on.
I love your beautiful perspective on kindness. Kindness, as with you, should be a natural impulse in us all.
You’re most welcome for the share, Tracy! And thank YOU for the wonderful compliment. I’m sure you also are a great inspiration for others. You certainly are for me!
Much love to you, dear,
John
Remember that intent is the hidden force behind the Law of Attraction.
Therefore, if one is being ¨kind ¨because of selfish reasons, the results or manifestations will mirror those intents. That is not to say that the efforts are totally wasted, since these habits become easily visible to a person making some efforts to become more conscious of the steps toward positivity and love.
Thanks very much, Ron, for your wise comments. It’s so important for us to always be aware of our intentions.
Thank you, Ron. Our sentiments are very similar, but you stated them more eloquently than I.
Thank you, John, for all of the loving kindness which you always impart.
You’re quite welcome, Pat! And thank YOU for all your wise and wonderful contributions to this community.
Pat’s thoughts were replicas of mine. It takes courage imo to post them here because it sounds like one is being argumentative or playing the devil’s advocate. I do believe it is an important distinction to get into the habit (addiction) of offering loving energy for the sheer enjoyment that this energy(metaphor only) is connected to. It is contagious. For example if A offers unconditional love to B but B is not able to receive it due to opposite conditions in the present there is a chance that C might witness it or hear of it and become altered. Even if there are no C’s there is still a memory buried deep into B which may just get activated in the future(another metaphor, lol)when conditions are similar.(see NLP anchors). To add to this idea I might add that memories are eternal whether we can at any given time access them or not. Ask any experienced remote viewer.
Thanks very much, Ron. I agree — we don’t always know how far-reaching our words and actions are.
Absolutely gorgeous poem. Thank you for sharing it.
Blessings & love,
Barbara x
Thank you very much, Barbara! Jerry was and is a wise old soul.
Blessings and love,
John
Thank you for this, John – both the poem and the video are so expressive of unconditional love (or Divine Love)!
Love and blessings to all,
Susan
You’re most welcome, Susan.
Love and blessings,
John
Hi John,
I loved this poem by your friend! I will copy it. I had best read it every day. Some days I am less than perfect and sometimes I am not very kind – though I try to be. I still have much work to do on me. But words like in the poem are excellent reminders. What goes around does come around in some fashion – sometimes we are not even aware of it. Anyway thank you for sharing – thank you for your friendship – and blessings to you!
Thanks very much, Sandy. Glad you enjoyed it. Jerry was a talented writer.
Blessings to you too,
John
Beautiful words, beautiful thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing. Fills my heart and leads me to start my day with goodness, kindness.
Elaine
Thanks very much, Elaine. Jerry was a great and talented writer!
John, that was just beautiful. And while I never knew Jerry, he must have been a lovely man. Blessings to you both.
Warmly,
Eoin
Thanks so much, Eoin! Jerry was indeed a great guy, truly one of a kind.
Blessings and love to you and your family,
John
John, that was such a lovely post – poem and video. Thank you! Wayne Dyer is also a strong believer in kindness. He says always choose kindness. Especially kindness over being right. A good way to live.
Thanks very much, Leigh. Glad you enjoyed it. Just the other day I was reading something Wayne wrote about kindness. He stressed what you said — kindness is more important than being right. That can sometimes be challenging in this modern world.
Yes, it’s extremely challenging and I fail more than I succeed. But I’m going to keep trying anyway 🙂
As Winston Churchill said. “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small….” 🙂
Sorry. I meant to write “deeds” instead of “ideas” in the first line of that response.
Thanks, I made the correction for you.
I don’t mean to be argumentative, but it seems to me that the idea of doing good deeds so that one might reap the rewards of those deeds is just the other side of that sociopathic coin, “What’s in it for me?” I’ve done the three things in those videos in addition to some others and I don’t believe I’ve ever received anything in return, except for an immediate state of feeling good about myself. Maybe that’s enough. On the other hand for all of the negative thoughts I’ve had about others and all of the nasty things I did in my younger days maybe my good deeds are such that they kept a few wolves from my door. Interesting, being a human being. Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.” Hell, times are always interesting and getting more interesting by the day.
You can be argumentative if you want, Pat — as long as you’re also kind. 🙂
I agree with you that we sometimes, as Jerry says, do not receive an obvious or immediate “reward” for our kindness. “Feeling good about myself,” as you put it, is a pretty decent reward, I’d say.
These are indeed interesting times!