the kindness of the bats

Yesterday I ate lunch with two lovely bats. We approached the meal being very hungry and like typical bats, I assumed they would eat one-third of their body weight. In order to fit in, I attempted to do the same but came up short. Anyways, we had lovely conversation and just hung around, the way that bats do. Then unexpectedly, but kindly, they invited me back to their bat cave. I had never been to their new cave, so I was very excited. The new abode was absolutely lovely and I loved how they had made it so homey. I had a great time hanging out with them and am grateful for their kindness.

the kindness of the momma bird

Momma robins feed their babies up to 400 times in a 24 hour period. That seems like a lot of work and a big commitment on the part of the mother bird. However, I encountered a similar situation the other day and this made me realize that these mother birds are likely driven to perform the acts of feeding their young by some type of maternal instinct, which must be very powerful. In my own experiences, my momma bird, who is more of a grandmotherly figure, attempted to feed me large amounts of raspberry pie. Although I did not feel the need to ingest these sweets, momma bird was very insistent that I would eat the pie. I accepted the pie under duress, but upon reflection I realized that my momma bird was simply trying to ensure that my nutritional needs were met and she was doing the best she could with what she had. Therefore, I began to see the offering of copious amounts of pie as an act of kindness. Thanks momma bird for your kind attempts to help nourish me.

the kindness of the deer

Today I met with a most wonderful and kind deer. We arranged to visit over lunch and like all good deer (at least the ones in this hemisphere)he was content to munch on various forms of vegetation. After discussions regarding the inner workings of his four-chambered stomach, I told him about what was new with me. I talked to him about my apprehensions for the future and my previous pattern of unrecognized goals. He assured me, in the way that deer do, that change was possible and even imminent. Thus, I could put my fears to rest, as there was hope that events would unfold in a positive manner within my life. It is possible that today I came across the wisest deer because he informed me that I could change a great deal about my experiences and perceptions of the world, simply by changing my thought processes. Wow! I asked the deer how he had become so intelligent and he told me that he had studied psychology for many years. I was very grateful for his shared wisdom. I also sought comfort from the fact that this deer was actually using his degrees in psychology for good, as I have yet to find any real purpose for my degree in psychology.

the kindness of everyone

Friday was the best day of my life, as it was the day that I graduated with my degree in occupational therapy. It was a long and arduous journey, but as I reflect on it, I realize that this was far from an individual accomplishment. I relied on the kindness of many people to help me recognize this goal. In this way I see myself as a worker ant; industrious, but merely one of a larger colony needed to accomplish a goal. Ants are seen as just individual cells of a larger collective intelligence and in this same way I recognize that my working hard to receive my degree was just one element that had to come together in order to help me be successful. Without a larger social network of support, I would have died like a starving ant in the sand. As Julia, one of my favourite fellow ants, pointed out, it was I who had to write all the exams and complete all the placements, in order to be successful. Perhaps then I am like a guardian ant with a large head where much knowledge about OT is stored. However,I needed other ants to help create pathways and make my journey more accessible. Recognition that I am part of a larger colony of ants is valuable, as it helps me appreciate that I am supported both in achieving this goal and also future goals. The kindness of my fellow ants is much appreciated and being able to share it with them on Friday made that day even more special.

the kindness of the helpers

Today and days leading up to this one have proved to be days of reflection. They have been days of reflection because of the monumental events which are coming up in my life, namely my birthday and convocation. I have come to realize, through reflection that I would not be celebrating these milestones without the many people who have helped me get here. They take the form of family, friends, professors and other professional people. They have treated me like a precious and valuable species, one that is worth nurturing and protecting. They have guided me in my development from being a young and naive cat in the wild to a knowledgeable creature who can find her own way and help others find theirs. They have protected me from wild and uncontrollable elements of nature, and have often protected me from myself. I am very thankful for their kindness as I wouldn't have made it this far without them.

the kindness of the Australian Cashmere Goat

My favourite thing is to drink speciality coffee while wearing cashmere. So I was thrilled to receive a gift from my favourite shearer. It was a Starbucks giftcard wrapped in cashmere. Usually receiving cashmere fashioned into shirts and socks, for a reasonable fee, is a sufficiently kind act, but the shearer was so kind today to send me this gift for my upcoming birthday.

The kindness of the cat herder

Everyone needs a cat herder in his/her life. Someone who will keep pushing you in the right direction even when the tasks seem uncontrollable or impossible to accomplish. This person's job is no doubt frustrating and often thankless, but he or she persists in attempting to keep you, as a cat, safe and disciplined. The cat herder attempts to keep you moving in the right direction, despite much difficulty including resistance from the self. Whether this resistance stems from lack of self-reflective abilities or a self-destructive nature, inherent to cats, is beyond my ability to say. However, I do know that without the kindness of my cat herder, I would have strayed long ago from a more positive and rewarding path. She provides me with knowledge, which leads me to a new self-awareness and understanding that keeps me safe from myself and other untoward influences. Even when I am a lazy cat, not waiting to take a risk, but content instead to stay purring in my favourite easy chair she encourages me to take the next step. Without her I would have long ago been euthanized in a shelter, due to a treatable case of ringworm.