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

---

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

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.