“Life is mostly froth and bubble. Two things stand like stone – Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.” ~ Adam L. Gordon Source: Diana at http://talktodiana.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/kindness-and-courage/#comment-4301
Thank you Diana. Your post inspired this poem and post.
Facing the Mirrors
Has my
Courage
Held up
On my
Darkest days
Have I helped
Those in need
Along the way
When facing
Such mirrors
It’s clear
To see
I’ve got
More work
To do
On me
–Russ Towne
Life inevitably involves troubling times for everyone. Quite often it is in such times, when we or others have been tripped up, are lying on the ground, and sometimes seemingly being buried by problems piling on top of us, making it even hard to breathe let alone think, react, and respond.
Those are the times that perhaps most define us.
If we see others in that plight, do we stop to help them to get up, and maybe even carry part of their load for awhile, or do we walk around or over them in our hurry to get along with lifes priorities, deadlines, and commitments?
Do we remember or forget that we’re all connected in many ways, and helping others is helping ourselves, and neglecting others hurts us all, so their are indeed few priorities more worthy or important every day than showing kindness to others.
And when we are the ones lying in the dirt battered and bleeding by lifes’ storms, do we get up, brush ourselves off, and get on with living, or do we lay around whining about how tough life is while waiting for someone else to pick us up?
May each of us choose wisely.
Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
I try to be a kind person and when I look in the mirror I see a kind person most of the time there are times when I look in a mirror and feel like smashing it because I don’t like who I see and not because the person looking back at me is a short fat middle aged women……..that I can deal with but because the person looks a bit bitter and hard………….granted those times are few and far between
I know what you mean, Joanne! Sometime a look in the mirror can be painful. At such times I attempt to remember that pain is often a reminder that something is wrong and action is needed.
Russ
Love the poem and the commentary Russ! If my post inspired this I am humbled. Blessings to you.
xo
Diana
It did indeed! Thank you, my friend.
Blessings to you and all your loved ones.
Russ
Well stated. Very Nice poem.
Love the poem and the post! You inspire me.
Absolutely beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for your words of wisdom, as always, Russ! I think we are all a better community for your posts!