[Dialogue] [Oe List ...] KINDLING THE LIFE QUALITY

[isobeljimbish at optusnet.com.au]

Thanks Brian and also Terry. 🌠 
Isobel Bishop 

Sent from my iPhone

> On 11 Mar 2020, at 2:28 am, Terry Bergdall via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
> 
> KINDLING THE LIFE QUALITY, Brian Stanfield
>  
> Some years ago, I remember someone saying to a bunch of us in India, "It only takes a feather to trigger the deeps." I've been experimenting with ways to shift people's mood at the supermarket checkout counter. I'm a shy kind of person, so I've been surprising myself lately. I have lots of opportunities to do this, since I do all the grocery shopping for our family. 
> 
> I've got used to waiting for it. Uh-oh, here it comes. The man behind me says, "Why does it always take so l-o-o-o-ng?"-- referring to the check-out process. I have given up attempting to remind them of their existential situation of being in the world. Instead, I try to divert their attention. This is an old trick I learned from my wife who has used it on me on innumerable occasions when I have sunk into the abyss.
> 
> Last Friday, when the grouching happened at the Dominion store, I looked around and my eyes lit on this Halloween display a few feet away. I said, "Well, great gravy, will you get a load of that?" It was a figure of the Grim Reaper. At a signal, its eyes would flash fire. It was a fearsome sight, yet fascinating. I heard the complainers behind me: " Ooo, Alfred, look at that, isn't that something." Soon, the whole line was preoccupied with the Grim Reaper's performance. It was a small thing, but suddenly the mood shifted; the pall of complaints was gone.
> 
> One of my colleagues has the practice of going into places like licensing bureaus, or dentist lounges, and saying in a loud voice, "GOOD MORNING, HOW ARE WE ALL TODAY?" He says the effect is startling. People come out of their lethargy and introversion and recognize their innate sociality.
> 
> There are few situations that couldn't do with a turn of the dial, and a calling forth to living life fully. "It means kindling the life quality where it was not." I invite us once again to pick up that stance and find opportunities to do some kindling today. 
> 
> ++++++++++++++++++++
> Note from Terry:
> Brian provided an example of a good witness. Therefore, it implies some helpful GUIDELINES about preparing one:  (1) at the heart of a witness is the sharing of a personal life experience, (2) followed by highlighting an underlying truth about life, i.e., "a spiritual insight," revealed in the experience, and (3) it is short; it can be read in about 3 minutes.
> As stated before, members of this group are invited to share a witness anytime they choose. There will be no assigned schedule. 
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