I watch my brother carefully measure out the espresso beans, the ratio and weight to what is needed for each latte he serves himself, his girlfriend and me. The attention to detail with how he foams the alternative milks for each of our drinks.
I see his girlfriend delicately pouring hot soy wax into rose fondant shapes for the bespoke candles she is gifting a small group of loved ones. Colors chosen linked to their astrological signs.
I watch my friend online who is tired, after seeing 25 patients this week for therapy, lend a supportive ear, as I share my latest dilemma giving the week’s play by play.
My fifteen year old dog places her paw on me, displaying her affection, and falls asleep with her paw on my lap.
I saw a female empowerment poster with strong historical women in a friend’s home. He shares how he teaches his young boys about these women’s accomplishments and vacillates these mini bios between talks on mindfulness, encouraging them to be feminists in their upbringing.
I observe the care exhibited in each of these moments. All are offerings of love. In each instance, no act was done with an expectation of anything in return. Nobody was doing these things for a financial transaction or a hope to be discovered. It was simply an expression of love or sharing of a skill. Non-attachment.
It makes me wonder, where have I gone wrong? Have I kept tabs in how I display love? After years of giving, and running on empty, I needed time to replenish the drought of self-inflicted martyrdom. Perhaps you can relate. But in observing others give freely, it makes me wonder has that pause ended? After taking a break from the working world and being a solo nomad am I ready to give again, without expectation, and solely a pure heart? Time will tell.
It Only Takes A Smile 