IT'S THE ACTION, NOT THE FRUIT OF THE ACTION, THAT'S IMPORTANT

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Was sitting by the window watching the activity out on the street. An elderly woman was berating a child. I could see from the kid's face that she was hurt bad by the mean words heaped on her. Gosh, why can't the woman be more kinder to the child?! That image stuck to my mind long after they had passed my view. Peculiarly, thoughts came streaming down my mind but this one stood out the most, written some years ago.......
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""I was reading the book 'Chicken Soup...' (Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen) and this got my attention. Beautiful lines, I must say. Allow me to quote......
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..."It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result." ---- Gandhi
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The quote wrapped up a beautiful article with this title --- 'PRACTICE RANDOM KINDNESS AND SENSELESS ACTS OF BEAUTY'. (by Adair Lara) I suggest that you include this in your list of must-read books. It's a gem.
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Random kindness could be a warm smile given the cashier behind the counter.... helping pick up groceries that dropped to the floor from an old lady's shopping cart..... offer up a snack to the cable guy who comes over to fix your cable lines under the relentless hot summer sun.... and many more we can do for people and also to our four-legged friends.
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Let me tell you this story.......
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I was at a department store and was finished with my shopping as I lined up for my turn at the cashier. I noticed that the cashier seemed weary and tense and bit her lip at some points in every transaction. 'Must be having a hard day.' I thought to myself. But every time she pursed her lip a dimple surfaced at the corners of her mouth. Pretty but it was an on-and-off show. Then my turn came and I paid for my items. While she was making change I remarked smilingly ...
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'That's a pretty dimple you have there, young lady. You remind me of my mom when she smiles."
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She looked at me apparently surprised but only for a minute. Because out burst forth one of the prettiest smiles I have ever seen in that store that afternoon! 😊🌹👍""

STANDING IN AWE OF LIFE AND EVERYTHING IN IT

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Back at my laptop again after an early morning's walk.😍
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This morning's walk took about 30 minutes around the village up and down the mountain.... seeing green trees swaying to a mild refreshing breeze .... hearing the chorus of chirping birds, roosters crowing, and dogs barking their morning greetings.... and walking the streets that has seen its good days and bad (so much like life aye?). Of course couldn't ignore the flowers blooming their brightest from several gardens in the neighborhood. Each looking like new everytime I pass through the place. Amazing! Everything under a huge canopy of spotless blue skies. The bluest of blue -- it never fails to take my breath away.
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And ... rounding the bend I come across my good neighbor who lives about three houses away from my house. Probably in his eighties and a really kind friendly person. We chatted though but briefly as I had to take my leave to finish my walk while he was already at the tail-end of his.
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It is in moments like this that you stand in awe of the total tapestry of life. The birth of new plants and buds .. and the decay and withering away in its own allotted time. Everything is and has its own place and time. Same way in the world of humans.
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Everything in its whole and in its every nitty-bitty detail points to a magnificent Creator. One who is aware of our comings and goings. One who is constantly there for us. Who continually loves us, sinner or saint, unconditionally.
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Yup, and that includes the gorgeous smile of AJ as  he saw me coming in through the front door.😍
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Have a great and blessed day, friends. Pay kindness forward. The world needs plenty of that. God bless you.