Sticks and Stones

Day 14:

I’m not sure if it’s because we had a 3-day weekend or if it’s because today marks the 2-week period for this project, but I’m starting to notice that I’m not noticing the lessons within each day.

I knew this would happen, but I thought I had anticipated it.

At the start of this project I bought a pocket-sized composition book so I’d have a little place to place little reminders about that day’s lessons – but I’m even forgetting to tote that around.

Here’s what I remember from today…

On day twelve I realized that I needed to hose off my hard heart and gratefully seize the opportunity to help others. Today I feel like I did the opposite. I wasn’t unhelpful, but I’m pretty sure I was a bit hurtful.

Today I took part in two group conversations where I took a part the words of someone else and held them against their owner.

It was unnecessary; I wish it were unnatural.

I’m learning I have a tendency to hold onto something someone says, put it my pocket, and pull it out at a later, self-serving time.
I’m learning that my mom is right when she says I’m a pretty critical person.
I’m learning that there’s nothing pretty about such a personality trait.
I’m learning that I need to more readily choose kindness over contempt, that I need to be patient instead of pugnacious.

Today I learned that the words I use can only be as kind as my mind is in that particular moment.
Today I learned that I need to maximize my moments of mental kindness…