changing worlds unseen
on the kindness of strangers
Love says softly - I see you. I recognise you. You are human, as am I. Nick Cave
Dear Friends,
Only a short missive this week. Life and family have been demanding my full attention along with the usual mix of commitments, exhaustion and longing for space that this time of year brings.
When this little flower landed in my lap out of nowhere a few days ago, I realised just how tired my eyes had become with the world .
I caught a glimpse of the old man as he offered it with a smile. Then he was gone without explanation or expectation. The dog at the next table gave me a rambunctious nuzzle as if to say ‘see’ and in that moment, my lens on the world changed.
Kindness is a powerful force and I would argue that the kindness of strangers is even more potent. Out of the blue kind-heartedness reminds us that in amongst the struggle and horror, the world is still beautiful and good. That alongside the broken-heartedness lives hope. It illuminates the truth of our belonging to each other.
Hope is optimism with a broken heart. Nick Cave
The message from Life to me was clear.
‘Don’t under estimate your power to change worlds unseen just by risking your heart’.
Regardless of means or circumstance, each of us has the power to be a blessing on each other’s path. All it takes is an open heart and generosity of spirit.
Kindness like the air we breathe, makes itself known in the receiving. Like the wind, it is invisible until it brushes our cheek or invites leaves to dance. It can only be seen and felt in connection and on contact. Which is to say it is not enough to just have kindly intentions, we must also act. In doing so, we become Life’s helping hand to restore balance and harmony and to make the interrelationship of all things visible.
On hard days and during tough times, kindness is an urgent life giving invitation back into connection and communion with the world. It says I see you. You matter.
O N H A R D D A Y S On days when hopelessness reigns, remember, you came here to love and to liberate. In a sea of indifference, be an island of tiny kindnesses, each an illumination of the truth of our belonging to each other. On hard days, find that part of you that longs to love more. Stay close to it, let it lead. Light up, let yourself be found, otherwise how will we ever find our way back to each other? ~ from REUNION SONGS: poems for reconnection and remembering yourself home.
These times of rapid change will ask more and more of us. I am looking forward to some time off over the summer to recharge, reconnect and reimagine my work and how I can be of service. I’ll be back in your in boxes Sunday 12 January.
I wonder how you are feeling and how you long to spend these transitional end/new year days and weeks?
However that may look and feel for you, may it be so.
I’m going to leave you with a poem from David Whyte and a conversation with Nick Cave on the power of opening our eyes to beauty.
Until next time, in remembering and reconnection, and with much love Amanda x
Nick Cave’s The Red Hand Files is some of the most heart opening writing about the beauty and terror of being human that I have ever read. I love this conversation with Nick on beauty, and how being open to the world leads to connection and strength.
P.S. Some housekeeping …
Appetite for Living bookshop
✨I’ve created an Appetite for Living bookshop on Substack. You can read more about my book Reunion Songs - poems for reconnection and remembering yourself home, and browse the bookshop HERE.
✨The limited edition hardcover of Reunion Songs: poems for reconnection and remembering yourself home is available from me wherever you are in the world. You can order your copy HERE.
✨The paperback and epub are also available from online retailers worldwide including Barnes and Noble, Waterstones, Dymocks and Amazon.
A big heartfelt thank you for your good company, readership and support! You helped give Reunion Songs wings! xA
Beautiful. 🥰