In a well-known and well-loved story George Fox the Quaker founder was consulted by William Penn who was concerned about whether he should continue wearing his sword, something that was customary amongst people of rank at that time. George Fox replied ‘‘I advise thee to wear it as long as thou canst.’ Some time later William Penn […]
In reflecting on this action I thought about how helpful I have found both Buddhist meditation and also Quaker wisdom. I find ‘Quaker faith & practice’ a wonderful resource of sayings and writings gleaned by Friends over the past 350 years. There is lots that is helpful in relation being kind when perhaps it does […]
A big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me in my 150 Acts of Kindness (listed below) for Quaker Social Action, and helped me to meet my goal of £1500.Thank you too to those who have supported me in other ways – it’s been really important.
This been a wonderful experience and I have learned […]
These acts of kindness take me to my goal of 150. I am so very grateful for the sponsorship, encouragement and support I’ve received. In a later post I will list all 150 and reflect on the experience. So, I’ve:
141. Shared my reflections about being an ‘everyday Quaker’
142. Gave a talk to a library group […]
World Kindness Day (13 November) was ‘… a day to celebrate and promote kindness in all its forms’. I will nearly have reached my goal of 150 acts of kindness in order to raise £1500 for Quaker Social Action, and once again the recipients of these acts have varied: other people, the environment, myself … […]
Although I am raising funds for Quaker Social Action, readers of this blog will know that I have found that by acting kindly I have often experienced happiness myself. I also hope that kindness will have an impact on others. Action for Happiness is a movement that aims to ‘help people take action for a happier and […]
Over the past few weeks I have witnessed many acts of kindness, and I have carried out a number myself. However I am aware that although I am a vegetarian I do not often go out of my way to show kindness to animals, birds, ants, reptiles … I have tried encouraging birds to our […]
Although I am enjoying carrying out acts of kindness it is a challenge finding ones that are ‘different’, and so I am seeking inspiration from a number of sources. These include hearing of kind acts undertaken by others, and being on the receiving end of kindness myself. So here are 15 more, and if you […]
There is some evidence that happiness is associated with altruism such as being kind to others. Something that helps me feel happier and more positive is gratitude. This may be concerned with something specific that has happened or, for example, being grateful for having a particular friend, or being part of my Quaker community. And earlier […]
It is a little while since I reported on my acts of kindness. I’ve been away for a couple of weeks and enjoyed many things including a warm welcome from Friends in Dorset when we attended meeting. The photo is from the special garden of the beautiful and historic Quaker Meeting House in Bridport, Dorset, […]