Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
Another glorious day on the Island. (we do need the rain though)
Put the kettle on, hope you have time for tea. Just a quick visit today.
“The spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort, and refinement.” – Arthur Gray
This summer has been a busy one. Every day I witness acts of kindness between total strangers and it does my heart good.
Habitat for Humanity is a well-known organization for their kindness. It is on display again with people coming from all around the world to help build a home for a complete stranger on Lennox Island, Prince Edward Island. Story here.
Whether it is a child’s expression of delight when a butterfly lands on their little piece of orange. The donkey running up to them to say hi. The bunnies expressing their timid exuberance & joy in front of the families. Seeing parents being patient is an act of kindness that will do no harm.
"Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is." Blaise Pascal, Writer
Kindness starts with us being nice to ourselves. Sure, you screwed up, I screwed up. Everyone screws up at one time or another.
Perfection is unattainable, but excellence is. One thought and one action at a time.
Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection. Mark Twain
If we get ourselves to a place where we forgive ourselves and others, we break the chains that bind to hurt and pain. Freedom is attainable.
To move forward accepting empathy as a tool in life’s toolbox goes a long way towards peace of mind.
Empathy—people’s ability to share and understand one another’s emotions—has declined sharply in the 21st century. If it dies out, technology will probably be charged with the murder. The clues are all there: People in countries with a greater Internet penetrance report lower empathy. Simply leaving a phone between two strangers as they talk lessens their resulting trust. The prosecution’s case writes itself: while apparently serving us, technology quietly poisoned the connections that keep us human. Jamil Zaki
Jamil Zaki is an associate professor of psychology at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory. He has written an interesting article in the Scientific Amerian journal. The Technology of Kindness - How social media can rebuild our empathy—and why it must.
At their request, tomorrow, I am to speak and share with 50 Buddhists why Shirley and I do what we do.
Why the Gardens of Hope? Why the Respite Cottage? Why and how deal with the stresses of running a hyper-active business?
Looking forward to sharing my Christian perspective with love & kindness. It is only through this worldview have I been able to personally feel the chains of hurt, guilt and shame removed. But it is not technical, it is not strategic it is relational.
We do not exist for ourselves alone, and it is only when we are fully convinced of this fact that we begin to love ourselves properly and thus also love others. Thomas Merton
I hope you enjoy this video. Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.
Nature’s beauty can be fleeting -- but not through Louie Schwartzberg’s lens. His stunning time-lapse photography, accompanied by powerful words from Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast, serves as a meditation on being grateful for every day.
Thank you for taking the time with me today.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, one where you notice what is good.
With love from Prince Edward Island,
Bruce
ps.
A friend was doing a crossword puzzle...
"What's a 7-letter word for 'easily perceived or understood' that starts with 'O'?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"It should be, but I can't figure it out. That's why I'm asking."
Comments
Audrey Wilde said:
I love ending my day with your blog. It’s peaceful and spirit filled. Thank You ! Keeping you and those who surround you in our prayers.
God’s Blessings Always Bruce !
Audrey
August 24, 2019
Susan Bagatto said:
Thank you for your meaningful words. This video was so moving, I can’t put into words the impact it had. I know I will watch it many times. Thank you. Keep passing along your amazing words of wisdom.
Best Regards
August 19, 2019
Kay & Mikel Stevenson said:
We both so look forward to your blogs every week. Thank for them…for their content, for
the Spirit that moves you to do this. We are so hoping to be able to return to Prince Edward
Island at least once more in our lifetime. We find it to be such a peaceful, restful environment. Loved visiting and finding gifts at the Preserve Company when we visited in 2016…strolling through the Garden of Hope and learning about the Respite Cottage in 2016 after learning Mikel’s grandfather came from there to Washington (state) Territory back in the day.
However, we have not yet had an opportunity to eat in the restaurant so it is on our bucket list.
We share these blogs with our adult children who have also appreciated them and we hope they will someday be able to visit PEI as well.
With gratitude,
Kay and Mikel Stevenson
August 18, 2019
MURDOCK MORRISON said:
Hi Bruce – yes kindness, empathy and love are actions that we all need to incorporate into our daily living. Wanted to tell you that we visited with my family the restaurant and it was truly an pleasing experience as we had the bubbly , the fish cakes and other dinner offerings including the tasty and scrumptious desserts. The service was excellent as they provided a constant and pleasant approach to serving us. We loved it and would recommend your dining room experience to others.
Murdock and Connie
August 18, 2019
Joyce Simpson said:
Oh, Bruce. I think this is one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen or heard. Thank you so much for sharing it. The visuals were amazing and the child and old man both spoke right to my heart,
Thank you as always,
Joyce
August 18, 2019
Donna McNally said:
Karen McNally Sullivan was my daughter.Three years ago she heard about Gardens of Hope and the cottage. The cottage was fully booked but very soon she heard there was a cancellation and she was able to have a week. She had a group of friends who were with her throughout her journey with cancer. They saw to it that she was never alone very long. Days that she felt up to it she would sit in the butterfly house and always had a story about butterflies, actually, she called them flutterbys, because that is what they do. She was very grateful for that week, she was given.
Karen passed on December 8, 2016. She was 53. She is so missed but I see her in every flutterbs that flutters through the yard and in so many other ways. She had such a zest for life and had returned to school at age 48 and became a nurse.
Thank you Bruce and Shirley for this wonderful service you providd
August 18, 2019
Grace Haslam said:
May God continue to bless you Bruce (in Jesus name I pray).
The blessings that God bestows on you and Shirley ripple out into our communities and all over lovely Island from you both so elegantly. Please know that your work is appreciated sincerely. Always so proud to share your stupendous vision with visitors !
Thank you both for all you do !
August 17, 2019
Penelope Smith said:
I love reading your blog. It is uplifting and soothing. Thank you for your words.
I have one of those spindles of wood on my bookcase. It says “always be humble and kind.” That is the name of one of my favorite country and western songs by Tim McGraw entitled the same. Your blog always reminds me of that.
August 17, 2019
Alexandra Killingbeck said:
Hello Bruce,
Look forward to Saturdays to read your blog. Love it!
Miss the island!!
Work hard, be kind… words to live by.
Alexandra xo
August 17, 2019
Susan E-J said:
Hi Bruce,
Reading your blog right here on the Island this week! And what an exquisitely beautiful week it has been weather wise, as well as time to recharge depleted batteries while drinking in those views of the PEI shore. Nothing better! Heading home again tomorrow :(
Sorry we missed you on Friday when we dropped by PEI Preserve (but two coaches had just pulled in, so it was very BUSY!) Catch you next time…. meantime, I’ll be placing my on-line order when we get back to Ontario :)
Thanks, as always, for all the wonderful quotes/teachings this week, and Good Luck with your talk tomorrow.
Best,
Susan.
August 17, 2019
Leslie John Habel said:
Bruce, my wife and I have visited PET and your company a number of times and love the area. I will be subscribing our three grown children to you wonderful Blog.
Thank you,
Kindest regards,
Les Habel
August 17, 2019
Carol MacKinnon said:
I love your place and got stuff through the mail, We had hoped to see you this week but could not get a motel so hope to get over in Sept. cannot wait to get your jams and soaps etc. always love that stuff. have a good week-end
August 17, 2019
Alex Boyes said:
Love your blog.
Will be leaving for PEI tomorrow, so hope to see you in person soon.
Cheers,
Alex
August 17, 2019
Linda Fuller said:
Thank you, Bruce for this timely commentary. I appreciate it very much.
I also know that gratefulness, and loving kindness can go a long way in life. And when I realize that I needed to forgive myself first, for my mistakes and for not knowing, not having the correct information and perspective, then I was able to move forward in my life. I was then able to love myself first through self care and boundaries and choosing better relationships in general. I try to surround myself with as much joy and tenderness as I can so I can give the same to others.
My Sister and I just visited your Preserve Company a few weeks ago. We enjoyed the fishcakes, the gardens and your delightful butterfly house! We felt like little girls living on the island again! And this morning, for breakfast I had some of your lovely lemon curd and quince and rose petal jelly.
Thank you for the heart felt message and the great memories!
In gratitude,
Linda Fuller.
August 17, 2019
Carol said:
I love your blogs, Bruce, and love hearing about what you’re accomplishing. This one was a special blessing this morning.
August 17, 2019
Jennifer said:
Thank you for showing kindness…it Does Matter!! 💗
Be kind, one to another…
Praying for you as you show the Love of Jesus today and always!
Blessings!
August 17, 2019