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Giulietta
Helping others find their true genius.
Challenger of assumptions. A believer in speaking one's truth. Karaoke queen. Essayist. Pianist. Painter. Explorette. Lover of animals, trees, travel, dark chocolate, Torch music and lending others a helping hand or two ... ...
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Three Things

Giulietta

Monday, March, 10, 2008
Seasoned Earth visitors have much to teach us younger folks. A few years ago, I went to a relative’s wake. After expressing my sympathies to the family and catching up with some cousins, I took a seat next to an older gentleman with thick eyeglasses leaning forward onto his cane. I learned his name was Frank and we were connected through one of my aunts.

I asked Frank to tell me about his life. A proud son of Sicilian immigrants, he spoke glowingly of his parents’ birthplace, painting a picture for me of its beautiful mountains, vistas and architecture. We talked about his business, his children, his grandchildren and a forthcoming book his family had written to celebrate his life.

Understanding the amazing gift of life experience sitting to my left, I leaned over and said, “Frank, what do you believe is the key to success and happiness?”

Without missing a beat, he raised his index, middle and ring fingers and said, “Three things.”

“What are they?” I asked, inching closer to the edge of my folding chair.

“To be kind, to be kind and to be kind.”

His words caused me to pause, to take inventory of my own kindness meter. Yes, I could give away more kindness each day. For whom had I been saving it?

If I want to live in a less violent world, a kindler, gentler world then I need to practice Frank’s philosophy of life during my special visit here on Earth.

Muse thx

Giulietta


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RM
RM
He sounds like a wonderful
Posted Fri, 03/14/2008 - 11:55
He sounds like a wonderful man to have that at the top of his list...............Having traveled a bit, I honestly believe kindness among strangers is easier to find in Europe and Asia. On a recent trip to Italy, we stopped at a small cafe, asking the lady behind the counter if she knew of any hotel availability nearby. Instead of just saying yes, or no, or giving vague directions, she talked with us a bit, then opened a phone book and made call after call to local establishments. She kept at it so long, I was stunned and actually felt bad for keeping her. I don't think you'd see many people make such an effort. [Eventually she did find a hotel with rooms available.]............... A favorite quote of mine, not exactly on kindness, but on doing the right thing because of the way it makes you feel.............. "I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration, that, if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I've lost every friend on earth, I shall have at least one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside me." -- Abraham Lincoln 1864
Giulietta
Giulietta
top of the list
Posted Sat, 03/15/2008 - 08:46
Hi RM, Glad you are still visiting the blog! Much thx. I like your great Abe L. quote and story about kindness in the motherland. At first when I went to Italy I grew impatient standing in line because the person working the desk seemed to have conversations, some rather lengthy. A typical American, I had the "places to go, people to meet" mentality and wanted him or her to put a move on it. Then I realized that real interaction is more important to the Italians than speeding through life to get to the next line where we don't know anyone. G.
Erica
Erica
Perception
Posted Wed, 03/12/2008 - 21:12
I read this blog and right away remembered an encounter I had with a friend who mentioned an even older friend had been talking about me. I thought, what an interesting way of getting a perspective on how my friends think of me. I said to my friend: ok, tell me, what did they say about me? All the time thinking, they would recall me as funny, or pretty, or witty or something glamorous like that. But my friend just got thoughtful and said, no, she just said you were very kind. At first I thought: how unsexy is that!! But then I thought, how interesting: what we leave behind may not be exactly what we think it is, or even if it is, is it what people need or care about? How phenomenal it was to be able to step outside myself like that, and to take a look back at myself. What is it that people will remember about you? How will they hold you in their heart? Erica www.wakeupandsmelltheblog.com
Giulietta
Giulietta
Perception
Posted Thu, 03/13/2008 - 09:18
Ms. E, Thank you for stopping by and telling the readers about your kindness story. How terrific that's what the person recalled most about you. Loved it! Let's make "kind" the new sexy. Can you imagine how great the world would be if we were all clamoring to be kind instead of rich and famous? People, go forth into the world and be kind!