"I have always struggled with my body image and relationship with food. I used to have this sleeveless black dress that I loved to wear along with my pearls. Wearing this outfit, I was on the way into the grocery store when I passed a man. He said to me, "You look beautiful." With the biggest smile on my face I told him "Thank you" and we went our separate ways. That was years ago but still, when I think about that moment, it brings a smile to my face."
]]>"I helped build a house in Cambodia. In one week. I was working with Volunteer Building Cambodia, an NGO seeking to improve the life of the rural poor. I came face-to-face with the harsh reality of Cambodia's poverty and brutal history. Perhaps I had become desensitised to images of poverty, as after this experience, I felt profoundly grateful for things I had taken for granted. I am more motivated than ever to continue giving back."
]]>"I was in the grocery story, in the middle of bagging my avocados, wearing my workout clothes. A beautiful older woman came up to me. She said “It’s just not fair.” I looked at her confused and asked “Excuse me?” “It’s just not fair. You’re so beautiful and you have such long legs too.” I have been conscious about my chicken legs for years, and truthfully I didn’t ever feel completely beautiful. But if this stranger could come up to me for no apparent reason, having felt compelled to tell me this, well then, maybe I am beautiful. Maybe I do have beautiful legs. Needless to say I walked through that store like Beyoncé on stage."
]]>"I was feeling sick. So, my boyfriend picked me up from work, made me some tea and put a hot water bottle under the blankets. I felt safe. Protected. But if my boyfriend didn't do things like that, make me feel like that, he wouldn't be the right one."
]]>"Once, a giant single rose was delivered to my house. It arrived with a lovely note written by an anonymous sender. I never figured out who it was from. I often wonder was it a wonderful act of kindness or a prank? I usually go with kindness."
]]>"I was about to have surgery for the very first time. Anaesthesia worried me. Needles worried me. I was 18 years old. The nurse in charge of prepping me for surgery had to insert an IV. I felt truly terrified. And ashamed for feeling terrified as I knew my surgery was low risk. Despite clearly being super busy, the Nurse sat down with me, held my hand and told me that everything would be OK. She did not judge me. She was gentle & patient. I felt accepted and cared for. To this day, her kindness still resonates with me."
]]>"Mr. Archer was my Secondary school teacher. In my final year of school, he told me he would help me as I was a 'cool kid'. He gave me the confidence to become a school teacher myself. Ten years later, we are colleagues. What makes it great is that he had no reason to help, and I know without his influence, I would have been a drastically different person"
]]>"In 2002, I was broke. I went to a shop to pawn my jewellery. In the shop I met the owner, an elderly lady. We started talking. She wanted to help me. As I sat there, she picked up the phone and asked all her friends if anyone knew of any jobs. Nobody did. But, encouraged by her, I took the reins in my own hands. I decided to teach children ballet so I rented a small hall and organised an opening ceremony. I invited the lady from the jewellery shop who said she would love to come. I wasn't sure she meant it. When she walked in to the hall, I had tears in my eyes. She handed me a ring and said: "I have worn this ring for many many years, but it doesn't suit me anymore and I've kept it for a very special person. It should bring you a lifetime of happiness." I've worn that ring ever since. But I never saw the lady again. I tried to find her, but the business did not exist anymore."
]]>"A few years ago, I had my appendix removed. The poor nurses were flat out, overworked and exhausted. I was feeling quite ill and not able to stomach any hospital food. But to be released, I had to eat something. A nurse realised that I was from South Africa, and when she came into work that morning, told me not to worry about eating the hospital breakfast. She then shared with me her "mielie pap" (a South African corn meal porridge). Not only did this amazing nurse go to the trouble of making me something to eat that reminded me of home, she was also willing to share her own breakfast with me. All the while taking time out of her incredibly busy day to cheer me up. It was so touching. I will always remember her act of kindness when I was feeling so vulnerable."
]]>
"To get into my chosen University, I had to pass a drawing exam. Unfortunately I was going to a regular High School where no Art courses were available. A teacher from an Art School nearby let me take part in his class for 2 years, for free. I passed the drawing exam and have just graduated as an Architect."
]]>
]]>
"I was in New York City for the first time. I had lost my friends and had no place to stay. A stranger offered me her phone so I could call them. They didn’t answer. She suggested I join her and her friends so I would feel safe. Eventually I found my friends but in that moment of helplessness, I felt saved by her."
Yogis, around the World. One act of kindness at a time.
Let's talk about Kindness. It feels important to me. Why? It started with a T-shirt hastily grabbed at a sale. Plain is my usual fashion game but, I liked this T by Aussie label May. White with a simple black slogan: Be Cool. Be Kind.
Much later, when walking down a busy road in Sydney, wearing said T-shirt, a homeless woman I had barely noticed, stood up from her sleeping bag bed and started vigorously nodding and pointing at my chest "I agree with that!" she declared. "Huh. Oh. Agree. Great" I mumbled, walking on, avoiding eye contact. "Your shirt, love." She clarified. "Oh. Yeah. Cool. Be Cool" I stammered, managing to turn my head, half-smiling. Still avoiding eye contact. "No, love. Be KIND". I stopped dead. I wanted to apologise. But, I just smiled at her and shrugged. Now, I wish I had thanked her. Profusely.
Since then, when I hear about kindness during my yoga practice, it always resonates. It's become my primary personal principle. My top tenet! Our young daughter 'gets' it, too. She was super sad about a vandalised wall near our home. "The bricks have feelings too Mum!"🙄 Maybe not. But she's grasping the concept of Ahimsa. Respect for all living things and avoidance of violence towards others. #parenting101
So, my mission is to create a corner of the World where we celebrate & focus on kindness. I'll be inviting Yogis from around the world to share a little of themselves and their experience of kindness. At worst, it will showcase some interesting stories. At best, it will make someone stop dead in their tracks and realise why being kind, is really really cooool.
Polly 🙏❤️
]]>