Friday, July 8, 2016

Light of the sun

Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary.
― J.M. Barrie


Feeling ill this morning due to last night's events, so I am swapping the post I originally scheduled for one with a kindness focus.

"Prayer at Sunrise"
by James Weldon Johnson

...O greater Maker of this Thy great sun,
Give me the strength this one day’s race to run,
Fill me with light, fill me with sun-like strength,
Fill me with joy to rob the day its length.
Light from within, light that will outward shine,
Strength to make strong some weaker heart than mine,
Joy to make glad each soul that feels its touch;
Great Father of the sun, I ask this much.

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A few links in case you are interested in taking a kindness challenge:

Kindness 365 | - One Year Habit Forming Kindness Challenge

A 12-Step Kindness Program

The Great Kindness Challenge (for schools)

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Visit The Logonauts for the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Katie!

16 comments:

Brenda at FriendlyFairyTales said...

Hi Tabatha, Your kindness poem is a balm. The last several days have seen an unfolding of terrible events. I grieve for them.

Molly Hogan said...

Thank you so much for sharing this kindness poem and the links. If only we all would reach toward kindness...

Linda Mitchell said...

Amen....and amen. Kindness costs nothing and it is something all of us have to give. This prayer is beautiful. I will keep it with me all day. Thank you for sharing.

Linda B said...

Thank you, Tabatha. I keep thinking that earlier this week, we were celebrating Juno, and complaining about the heat, those ordinary and extraordinary things in our lives. I am saddened for all the loss for those personally, and for our country.

Joy said...

Thank you for changing out your post and for all the love you shower upon us all. Poetry can heal. Kindness is a great start.

Anonymous said...

On any day, there never can be too much kindness. So saddened to hear of yet another tumultuous week. It breaks your heart... Kindness. And hugs. x

Tara said...

Thank you, Tabatha...kindness is just what we need...and yet it seems to impossible to reach for these days.

Ruth said...

It really has been an awful week, hasn't it? Thanks for the poem.

Katie TheLogonauts said...

I love the idea of a kindness challenge, Tabatha. If only the people who really needed kindness would also step up. Thank you for sharing.

Heidi Mordhorst said...

Never mind random acts of kindness--how about daily kindnesses as dependable and powerful as the rising of the sun? It's hard to get on with normal life in these circumstances, but your post has helped.

Bridget Magee said...


"Strength to make strong some weaker heart than mine" - I will strive to do that today and always. The perfect post for the times. Thank you, Tabatha.

Sally Murphy said...

A beautiful poem perfect for the events which I've only just heard about. Hugs to you and to all Americans.

Donna Smith said...

Thanks for sharing "Prayer at Sunrise". It is worthy of many readings, much thought, new hope and appreciation for the poet who put these words to paper.

Mary Lee said...

The Great Kindness Challenge -- I'm in (and hopefully my whole school, too)!! Rather than just wait for one week in January, I'll take note of the research in Kindness 365 and see if we can't make kindness a habit in room 226.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for these words and thoughts. I love the idea of a Great Kindness Challenge!

There is a song I learned a few years ago at a music teacher conference that is called "The Light of the Sun." A teacher wrote it for his graduating class, and a quick google search doesn't turn up any recordings, but here are the lyrics (quite lovely):

The light of the sun brightens all space
when dark night is passed.
The light of the soul now is awakened
from restful sleep.
O thou my soul, give thanks to the light!
In it shines forth a power divine.
O thou my soul, be strong for deeds.

The teacher who wrote the melody is Fabian Lochner, and the lyrics are by Rudolf Steiner.

Tabatha said...

Christina, that's lovely. Thanks for sharing it.