Tag Archives: life

Acts of kindness: A tiny stone.

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Caledonian Road tube station. There’s something special. And it’s not that one exit reads: “Holloway prison” whilst the other: “Pentonville prison.” Something beautiful. It has the presence of an artistic spirit who leaves a mark of kindness for those who pass through the station. The kindness comes in little messages written on the “Service Information” whiteboards. I won’t delve into details for I’m saving this for another time.

Today as I was passing through the station, I realised a lady had noticed the messages as I had. It read:

“My lovelies, this day is all yours to keep, to experience… and to own! I hope that at its end you are greeted with satisfaction, comfort and love! Have a wonderful day! Love Kim x x x”

The lady seemed as uplifted by the sentiments left by tube worker Kim as I was. This I’ve not seen before but inside I was feeling glad. Glad to know I wasn’t the only one who took the time out to appreciate them.

She noticed I took a snapshot of the message on the white board. We acknowledged each other as we shared a lift with some others waiting to catch the trains on the Piccadilly Line. I wanted to say something to her, but I had my headphones in. It seemed smart to just continue with my journey. It was during the tube journey where I realised I should speak with her; ask her how the message impacted her day. I spent a minute or so contemplating, thinking how silly I’d look moving over to the other side of the carriage. I was shy too. Rarely, if ever do I initiate conversation with strangers, especially on a tube which was awkwardly silent.  

Would I regret not talking to her? Yes. So when the train reached Kings Cross, I stood up, walked to the other side of the carriage and sat next to her. Others sitting on the tube wondered what I was doing, I could tell, but I didn’t care. I introduced myself as a local and a journalist. I told her I noticed she liked the messages Kim left. She gave me her contact details, the business card read that she specialised in acupuncture and reflexogy.

For the next few minutes we spoke how the messages left at the station were so simple, but made such a positive impact on passersby. She mentioned about the artistic aspect of the messages. This is something I’d not realised fully before. She told me how there is so much negativity in this world. I related to her in an instant. Kindness essentially is the most beautiful thing on this earth. It can come in any form, in any place.

As we were speaking she pulled a stone from her bag and handed it to me. It has a beautiful intricate design on the front. On the back it had her contact details again. I told her the stone was pretty. She told me to keep it.

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I wonder if there is a deeper meaning to the stone, perhaps in acupuncture terms, spiritually, that is of course if anything. Perhaps it’s just an innovative way to promote her work. I almost missed my stop on the tube. Before I rushed off she told me to call her to finish the conversation. When I phone I’ll ask her if there is a spiritual meaning behind the stone.

But till then, it is a reminder to me. It is reminder of the kindness at Caledonian Road. And a reminder of the compassion and understanding of those who take the time to see witness it’s beauty. As is everyday, today was a blessed day. But thanks to the messages left at Caledonian Road, and the encounter I had, my day reached a new level of completeness and for that I am thankful

I admire a bus driver

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Wake up. Freezing. No milk. I need my morning coffee. Black coffee? Result: Cranky. Late. Exam today. Deadlines, Yesterday. Missed. £200 per week. Elevator broken. Great. Runs from the top floor to the bottom. Result: Supercranky

I guess you could say these things scratched a surface. But these scratchings were a way of telling me it was going to be “one of those days”.

It was the last day of exams for shorthand. You see, writing 100 words per minute by hand is the industry standard requirement for journalists these days. Practice. That’s all it takes. Not that I know because I didn’t practice. Nor did I get 100 words per minute. Only 70 words per minute. Regret. Dissapointed. Same old story.

But something else happened today which outweighed all this and gave me hope.

As I got on my bus this morning I just KNEW my oyster card had run out of money. *BEEP BEEP*. There it was. Damn. It’s ok. I had cash.

As I rummaged through my purse trying to find the money that I would have preferred to have spent on a morning coffee that would suffice my needs, the bus driver said in her strong London accent:

“Take a seat, find your money and come back.”

So I sat down. I found my money, but by this time I was already trapped next to the window and to my great misfortune a rather large man. As I sat there I thought how easy it would be to get off the bus without paying.

I sat and watched the journeys of others. The bus driver rummaged amongst the little box she’s trapped in all day. But she gets out. Off the bus. Newspaper in her hand. She hands it to an old lady sitting at the bus stop waiting intently for her bus.

This bus may not be the bus she wanted, but this particular bus brought something better for her; a small act of kindness. The old lady gave a warm smile whilst the bus lady jumps back into her drivers seat.

Wow. Through this small act, I felt great admiration. I wondered why she is different to all the other drivers I encounter every single day. I guess she really appreciates life. Her life is truly what she makes it and just from my little observation, it was something very special.

Although it was tempted to run away without paying my bus fee, I would never do it. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind not paying, but to give someone my word and not keep it? That’s not right. It’s not me.

So, I approached the front of the bus. I knew she’d be shocked that actually I came back. I went to hand over the money. Through the glass she gestured at me and said “Awwww it’s okay. Don’t worry about that.” I smiled and said “Thank you”.

“It’s okay darling. You go top up your oyster with that money.”

I giggled and told her: “I hope you have an amazing day. Take care.”

We exchanged a wave as she drove past me. Then crossed the road. By this point the bus had turned around. She drove past me again and we both waved again giggled. I spent the rest of my walk to uni smiling, despite being late and cranky.

Small acts of pure kindness are little drops of heaven. Nothing can bring the soul closer to serenty.

Peace and Love.

The world is shocked: WHITNEY HOUSTON

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ABC News Los Angeles has confirmed that superstar Whitney Houston, 48, has died. The cause of death is yet to be announced.

Social networking sites twitter and facebook are overwhelmed with shocked fans posting status’s such as: “Whitney Houston is dead :O”

Is it not strange how a person in the public eye only gets sympathy when they are dead? Why it is about death that fascinates people? Her drug abuse caused many of her fans to turn away, whilst the media stood back and criticized. It is the shock factor, perhaps regret that we couldn’t've done more. But it seems we do not learn from these saddening times. Just last year we found ourselves in a similar position with the death of Amy Winehouse.

They speak of scandal, but these are real people, with real lives, dealing with real problems, just like everyone else. They may receive more attention, but do they receive the true support they need? I doubt it.

Perhaps what’s most haunting is the fact that just three hours ago there were reports of her possibly making a career comeback as a new x-factor judge. Flashbacks of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his “This is it” tour come to mind.

It really is mysterious how the world works. One extreme to another. Only God knows why.

May Whitney Houston Forever Rest in Peace.

Christian couple lose battle to be foster carers over homosexuality views

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According to last weeks BBC news , Eunice and Owen Johns, a Christian couple from Derby lost the battle to be foster carers.
Why?
Because they were unable to “tell a small child that the practice of homosexuality was a good thing”. The thing which shocked me about this case is the realization I got of how complex this issue really is.

I mean, I’ve always believed that everyone should be free to follow any lifestyle they wish. This of course in terms of religion, sexuality, anything really. Till this point, backing this corner fighting for this freedom has been mostly applicable to homosexuality due to the hostility facing them in society. But here we see the freedom of religious practice under fire. It is still difficult for homosexuals to live their lives freely but what about this couple’s freedom to practice their religion?

A line needs to be drawn. A line which allows us all to live our lives freely, even if our choices are the opposite of what the person next door to us chooses. Right now, we run the risk of role reversal: the transition of homosexuality being forbidden to religious practice being forbidden.

We are taking one extreme to the other. The message I tried to prevail in my last blog is that the solution is to live our lives, do our own thing (whether it’s our sexual orientation or our religious beliefs) without intruding it or imposing it on other people. That way we can all live peacefully. Why is it such a difficult concept to put into practice? I standby what I said, I guess this case proves it’s not always that simple. My concept in some regards encourages segregation, but does it really?

Whilst thinking about this complexity in my mind, the saddest part hit me. Whilst we all struggle in trying to understand what the law states, our freedoms, our rights, there are children out there who need homes. First there’s no place for homosexuals within society, now we run the risk of their being no place for religion, but all this time there’s been no home for the children who need it. Where is the resolution for them? Who was this case fighting for? Was it even beneficial to anyone? There should be a place for everyone in society. There should be no competition, no conflict. I think we’ve lost sight of what’s important.

Another thing, the couple were told by the Equality and Human Rights commission that their “moral views may infect a child”. Does this apply to every aspect of religion? I mean religion has morals to guide us individually. We chose what to do and what no to do because of them. Is the Equality and Human Rights commission suggesting that religion can “infect a child”. Surely there’s something wrong here. What is becoming of religion in society?

I do not believe this particular couple are homophobic but have personal religious beliefs on the issue. It is not wrong of them to have these beliefs irrespective of whether or not we personally agree with them. However if this couple were to act upon their beliefs in a way which discriminates e.g. attempt to enforce their views on others, attack homosexuality, or deny certain children into their home because of it, then it would be a different matter entirely. But, they didn’t. According to the BBC, the couple said “We are prepared to love and accept any child”.

Let me put it in another perspective. In Hinduism, it is strictly forbidden to eat beef. For this reason a Hindu will not say that eating beef is moral as their religious beliefs do not in any way condone it. This does not mean that they are stopping other people from eating beef, nor does it mean that those people who do eat beef are prejudice against the religion. If someone likes/dislikes beef it does not make them prejudice. It is also for this reason that I do not believe this case proves beneficial to anyone. There is a difference between homophobia and having different personal views on a matter. We cannot say that anyone who cannot say that homosexuality is a good thing is homophobic, it just doesn’t work like that. If we do, then surely we’re automatically ruling out all Muslims, Christian and Jews from fostering children. Is that right?

This case by default holds massive precedent. It seems as though religion has taken a knock down but I don’t think sexual liberation has won. Turning homosexuality into a sensitive issue is not the solution.

It’s dangerous to push one group out of society whilst attempting to let another in. They’ll come a time where we all feel rejected, and we all feel hostile. That will not be a place I’d like to be in. I guess the world likes to run in circles.

Even I am lost on where I stand with this right now, but I know one thing for sure, and that is that no child should be without a loving home.