under/over

There's nothing like a little inspiration from someone who's out in the world doing kind things for humanity to get you thinking.

Or me, rather.

I'm thinking about a friend's mom who is painting schoolhouses in Thailand. She's been to Africa several times, too. She's an artist, a designer, and a pretty amazing, kind person.

I'm pretty nice most days, but I have to admit my time helping others has been more limited than it should be (although my goals are lofty). I have volunteered here and there, and even spent my 31st birthday with a group of friends picking up garbage in a park near my house. We found a laptop, used syringes and condoms, and some beach balls. We wore gloves and drank beer, and followed it up with birthday cake served out of the back of a truck. I was proud of the several large trash bags of junk we picked up.

We once volunteered to help a water sports company spend a morning helping blind kids and teens learn to water ski (and boat and float). Pretty amazing how fearless they were!

And now to the point: I often think of these words from The Lupine Lady "Miss Rumphius" (from the wonderful children's book) and her directive to "do something to make the world more beautiful."

There is so much we can do; are we doing it?

To quote the lovely lady painter in Thailand, "The young Thai women involved in the project are some of the most lovely in spirit I have ever met. Culturally they are deeply respectful and affectionate. I am held tightly in thanks for each small thing I do - and they skip up to me and laughingly grab my hand to hold. These are not children. They are in their early- to mid-twenties. If I try to cross a street, invariably one of them will put an arm in front of me, protecting me from any harm that may come my way. I am actually stunned by the sweetness of it all."

Does it count just being nice to people? Smiling at your neighbor and saying hello to people on the bus? What about digging in your garden and picking up old beer cans in the alley? I'd like to think that kindness in little ways helps, too, but I know there are a million more ways to affect the world and to make it more beautiful.

I'm not sure if redecorating or sewing a pretty dress helps much, but I'm going to keep on trying (while I quietly create a list of other helpful things I can do).

Miss Rumphius

Color Gypsy