I am, pardon the phrase, a “people person”.  I was born the oldest of nine kids, very aware of the feelings around me (unspoken as they were).  I was a helper at 3 years old when I fetched a diaper for my mom and my new baby brother.  It got me attention and I was off on a rollercoaster of pleasing others as a way to feel valuable.

So now, older and not much wiser, but certainly more aware of myself, I still get stuck.  I do truly like to help others, it does feel good to bring a smile to someone’s face, make a group laugh.  Certainly I feel heard, seen and valuable.  But I have to watch that I don’t get out of balance.

Then I’m left wondering how to please myself in the quiet empty apartment with no deadlines, job or family around me.

The trees seem to have no problem with this.  They aren’t plagued with this pesky human mind that does its job comparing with every breath.  I will be a tree today.  Write when it calls to me.  Move when I see the path.  Connect with others as they come to me.

I follow the will of Heaven.  I watch for the Path of Loving Kindness–for myself.  Then it will naturally overflow to others.