Scripture: Yes, ""
Silence: Yes, " "
The Deed/The Day: I am uncomfortable starting conversations with people who are 1) quiet and new to a scene and 2) gravely ill. Knowing this about myself, I pursued two such exchanges today. Two wonderful scenarios unfolded and perhaps deeds came from them in some way. In my mind, I'd like to say the person who was new to the scene felt a little more at home and the person who is fighting an illness was able to share some of the the challenges she and her family are facing. And guess what? I got a lot out of both conversations, too! Everyone likes to share things about themselves — deeding definitely includes providing opportunities for others to talk. Is listening one of the most important deeding tools out there?
Words of encouragement/advice: Deeding is not a "Christian" thing or a religious-nut thing. I believe it to be a humanity thing. Too many smart people in our world and throughout history believe this — why shouldn't I?:
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." — Aesop
"Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity." — Buddha
"Do all the good you can and make as little fuss about it as possible." — Charles Dickens
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." — Albert Einstein
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that you cannot sincerely try to help another without helping yourself." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I hope you will judge yourselves not on your professional accomplishments alone, but also on how well you have addressed the world’s deepest inequities…on how well you treated people a world away who have nothing in common with you but your humanity." — Bill Gates
"Each time we stand up for an ideal, or act to improve the lot of others, or strike out against injustice, we send forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." — Robert F. Kennedy
"When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion." Abraham Lincoln
Final thoughts: There is so much about this experiment that I want to share. But like a good reporter, I want to review my notes. I want to do a thorough study, and offer a comprehensive report. Tomorrow is the "40th Day." This week is Holy Week. When my perspective is clear, I'd like to tell you exactly what I learned from 40 Days of Doing Unto Others. I want to tell you what happened when I focused on daily prayer, scripture and silence and looked for deliberate opportunities to do good deeds and be more aware of God's daily "nudges" in that direction. That may take a few days — the 40th day of this experiment may take a bit. But I'll get back with you pronto. Until then, enjoy the reflective time that Holy Week and Easter offers. I have enjoyed purging this 40-day experiment's challenges, gifts, successes and failures. Thank you for joining me on the journey!
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