*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.