first thoughts

I have already run into a conceptual snag. What qualifies as an act of kindness? Does it have to be something thought up just because of this program, or something that I did without thinking? Where does an act of kindness fall within the ordinary duties of being a mother, spouse, student, teacher (and all the myriad of roles I might have in a year)? Steven suggested that it's the spirit of the task – the motivation. That helps. But it's odd to find that something I thought I knew about already – a random act of kindness – is turning out to be a bit more elusive than expected. The classic saying comes to mind that goes something like “teach people to fish and you've fed them for life.” It's one thing to talk about ideals, and another to live them.

Also, I have felt like years have been flying by. Now this one seems to have slowed down, at least in the beginning, and may stay a while. I plan on savoring it.