When time and weather permits, I enjoy walking various trails along the Hudson River in upstate New York. Once I’ve found a particularly beautiful, secluded spot, I’ll sit down, close my eyes, and inhale deeply.
And exhale.
As I try to empty my mind of the multitude of thoughts, I catch glimpses of moments when I failed to love. I hear the sarcasm and gossip and hate that escaped my lips just hours earlier.
Who was that? I can’t believe I said that!
But it’s done. It’s over. Love now.
I need to love now.
Breathe again. Slowly. Deeply. Smell the trees. Feel the breeze. Release the tension as my shoulders ease down and my arms become weightless.
Before I can move on and love others, I need to let go of the negativity I feel toward myself.
Before I can love others, I must love myself.
Breathe. Smile. Breathe.
Christian works two full-time jobs: one as a counselor at a home for youth with developmental disabilities, and one as a volunteer service coordinator at a youth detention facility (both in upstate NY). Having worked in these fields for over three years now, Christian confidently says that kindness has more immediate and long-lasting power than cold authority.
Read more of Christian’s thoughts here.
Kindness Blog 
Thank you very much for the reminder!
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No problem! It’s easy to get distracted and sucked into the negativity that surrounds us. I need reminders every day.
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Reblogged this on chroniclesofanoptimist and commented:
Get my blanket and rest in the lawn with some good music.Get lost in my thoughts and review my behaviours and thoughts lately and get rid of the negative thoughts.Honest personal review constantly is important for Rising Above life challenges.
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Thank you for reblogging. Only by being honest with ourselves can we seek and receive help from within and without.
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Reblogged this on Totally Inspired Mind….
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Thanks for reblogging!
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I am searching for a place I can do that very thing here in Las Vegas, NV.
Paulette Motzko
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My wife and I went on vacation in Las Vegas not too long ago. Red Rock Canyon is beautiful! Try and get out to the various parks, or even go out for a drive a little ways into what looks like Martian wastelands.
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I am disabled and take the bus, but red rock canyon is on my to do list. I am also buying a year pass to the Springs Preserve that is 180 acres big and has nature walks, a museum and beautiful desert gardens with butterflies. A year pass is only $25.
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So nice to hear from you Christian.
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I just met someone really wonderful, so I am hoping we can go together to these places and I can not only walk, commune with nature, but take some photos too.
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Reblogged this on Inspirational Soup Unimpaired and commented:
Mindfulness is Bliss…
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Thanks for reblogging. I hope these words serve as an encouragement as well as a challenge to its readers. Be blessed.
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Great post! I can totally relate! I’ve been doing mindfulness meditation the last few months
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Fabulous ! We all need that reminder, sometimes. ☺ Van
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It can be painful at first (self-reflection), but gives way to peace in the end. Be blessed.
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