I was walking behind an elderly couple in the centre of Cheltenham the other day when I overheard this conversation.
The elderly gentleman says ‘I have to say you really do keep yourself fit, you look lovely’ To which the elderly lady replied ‘Thank you but I do try to look after myself’, the reply was ‘Well it really shows’ Now I don’t know if they were married or just good friends, but it made my day (never mind the lady).
Their conversation set me thinking that we don’t give enough compliments to each other, or give praise. We like to receive compliments so we can be sure other people do too. It might be a stranger that you meet but you could still give a smile. Do we tell ourselves that we have done a job well, or if we look in the mirror and tell our reflection that we look good? I know what I tell my reflection at times and its definitely not complimentary, I am working on this!!!!
This is where Loving Kindness meditation can really help you within your meditation practice, and it really does work, (well, it has for me). Start be sending yourself loving kindness and then to a good friend and then to a work college and finish with yourself. Make a point of smiling to at least one stranger a day. If everyone did this I am sure it would be a better World.
If you want to know more about Loving Kindness read one of Sharon Salzburg’s books.
Helen Galpin
This blog originally appeared on the British School of Meditation website: www-teaching-meditation.co.uk
The British School of Meditation provide nationally recognised, externally accredited, Meditation Teacher training .
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