i have picked up a digging habit from my husband.

i came across this tonight and i am glad i did:

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25 Ways to Help a Fellow Human Being Today

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
Dalai Lama

Too often the trend in our society is for people to be separated from either other, to be cut off from the great mass of humanity, and in doing so to be dehumanized a little bit more with each step.

Cars have taken us off the streets, where we used to greet each other and stop to chat. Cubicles have taken away a bit of the humanity in working, as have factories and even computers to some extent.

Television has planted us firmly in our living rooms, instead of out with other people. Even movie theaters, where many people get together, cut us off from true conversation because we’re staring at a big screen.

And while I’m not railing against any of these inventions (except perhaps the cubicle), what we must guard against is the tendency of that individuality to have us focused on ourselves to the exclusion of our fellow human beings. The tendency towards selfishness rather than giving, on helping ourselves rather than helping our brothers and sisters in humanity.

I’m not saying we’re all like that, but it can happen, if we’re not careful.

So strike back against the selfishness and greed of our modern world, and help out a fellow human being today. Not next month, but today.

Helping a fellow human being, while it can be inconvenient, has a few humble advantages:

1. It makes you feel better about yourself;
2. It connects you with another person, at least for a moment, if not for life;
3. It improves the life of another, at least a little;
4. It makes the world a better place, one little step at a time;
5. And if that kindness is passed on, it can multiply, and multipy.

-- above taken from zenhabits.com -- click here for the rest--

far too often, i get caught up in my own issues, work, concerns and don't really see those around me, much less connect with them.

the post went on with a list of ideas on how to connect, think of others and show simple kindnesses to those in our sphere. many of the things on that list made me think of my friend kristy, who has one of the kindest and most compassionate spirits of anyone i know. kristy, you often inspire me.

today i will try to be a blessing, and be blessed.