I Don't Get To Say This Enough To You People...

(X-posted from Therioshamanism: therioshamanism.com/2013/03/08… )

To my dear readers,

Being as open a person as I am about my art, spirituality, and the like, it's inevitable that I take flak from haters (as the kids are calling it these days) now and then. I know it happens to a lot of you, whether you're a fellow artist/collector of hides and bones and the like, or a member of a minority religion, or just someone who had the misfortune to be targeted by a pack of bullies feeling their actions are justified by their ideals. If you've ever had to deal with that, I'm incredibly sorry; it's not something I'd wish on anyone, even someone I disagree with.

Do you know how we can counter this? Kindness. As Ian Maclaren said, "A thought to help us through these difficult times: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

And that brings me to what I want to say to you folks out there: thank you for being kind to me.

Thank you for every kind word, every compliment about my art or writing or anything else I share with you.

Thank you for every time you've thanked me when I've been able to help you, and along with that thank you for extending me the opportunity to be of assistance.

Thank you for giving up a few moments of your time to express appreciation and to brighten my day a little more.

Because it really does help. I know human beings are more likely to speak up (loudly!) when we're upset about something. It's more of a challenge to say something kind, not because the act is difficult in and of itself, or because we're bad people, but because we tend to be complacent when things are going well. It just doesn't occur to us to say anything then.

But it does make a huge impact on the person you say it to. We do get really used to only hearing from others when things are wrong, so when we do say kind things to each other, that one small moment can have a lot of power. I know there have been times when I've been pulled out of some really dark places in my life simply because somebody took the time to say something nice. When I'm having a tough time of things, I do go back and look at some of those appreciative emails, comments, messages and the like that you all have sent me over time.

So please do keep that in mind. If you know somebody who's in a bad place, consider taking a few moments to show them some kindness and appreciation. You never know just how much a couple of sentences at the right time can help a person out.

Yours truly,

Lupa