One for you, one for me

I have a friend who unabashedly admits that when she shops for others she often treats herself.  Paper weight?  Potted plant?  Pretty scarf?  “It’s ‘One for you, and… one for me’”, she declares gleefully.

To me, this is just like Loving Kindness meditation. 

When we offer someone the gift of a wish for their well-being and happiness, we are treating ourselves to well-being and happiness, too. 

Science backs this up (you know we love science!) and, more importantly, we know it's true because we can feel its effects in our bodies and in our hearts.  

I love this practice any time of year, and especially in these busy periods when I’m out on the roads with oodles of others, shoulder-to-shoulder on packed sidewalks or among the masses in mass transit. Each car or person that passes offers a chance to look at them kindly, and silently send a wish, “May you be happy,” and then, “May you be happy” to the next person and then again, “May you be happy” over and over.  I can’t help but smile as I do this, and suddenly smiles start coming back my way for kindness is infectious.  

Never tried Loving Kindness meditation?  No problem.  Check out the discussion and sample practice below.  The Community Mindfulness Project website offers a whole libraryof meditations accessible anytime anywhere. 

May we all remember what we’ve always known deep inside but sometimes forget:  that we are all connected, each and every one of us worthy of kindness, care and love,

Your CMP family