You would think that writing or talking about kindness is a quick sticky note wouldn’t you?

Now as I set to quickly skip through this post of combined prompts – self-kindness, kind energy and be kind – for Niki’s Kindness challenge due to the fact that I didn’t start out when others did, I find myself drawing away from my preconceived idea and trailing down memory lane.

Meandering down old routes raises the question, ‘is it enough that I am considerate of others?’ What is enough kindness? Is there a parameter to know what’s enough?

I don’t think so. I believe that kindness should be an inculcated way of life. Through my childhood, I was predisposed to observe first hand the kindness that my parents endlessly practiced in their lives. They raised many other children other than their own, that it was simply a way of life for them to take on educating, feeding, clothing and helping the less privileged, to an extent that sometimes I wondered how they managed on their income.

Yet, they never lacked, their progress was never stunted, their cooking pot remained large and their door open. I believe that all they did and still do built the right kind of energy, that sometimes I feel guilty that I’m not doing enough.

Taking part in this challenge has actually attuned my mind to be a bit more observant of my actions, what energy I am sending out there in my family and those who come in constant contact with me. The past weeks were hectic with work, school exams, life etc and I noticed that I was a bit stressed and snappy with the children so, I had to soft-pedal in my thoughts and snippiness. I knew that what I needed was a little time to myself to de-stress. I indulged myself in a bit of self-kindness, which is something that I struggle with most times.

I find that it’s easier for me to take care of every other person’s need, to cut some slack for everyone else, while I keep pushing my own needs to the bottom of the ladder. However, last weekend, I indulged in a bit of pampering steam/sauna session to decongest my thoughts and release tense muscles, as well as a pedicure with a foot massage. I almost fell out of the armchair as I dosed off to the goodness of it all and felt so much better which automatically improved my mood.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

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She is amazing at describing love and life in her poems. She creates such beautiful images with her words. Truly, she is a talented writer and I’m so excited to have her poetry book and to continue reading through it.