Simple acts of kindness
It goes without saying that many, not to say all, Theosophists perform acts of service regularly that no one gets to hear about. They do it as a natural and routine part of their lives. We would like to celebrate these small acts of kindness. Perhaps they will give us inspiration and practical ideas.
We have pleasure in introducing you to Elizabeth Smith. She is a pillar of the theosophical movement in Canada and has held a number of positions over many years. Elizabeth handles all inquiries coming in through the website of the Canadian Theosophical Association, sends out information packages and prepares reports. She proofreads and edits for both the TS and the TOS. She currently serves on the administrative committee of the TOS and also on the international TOS UN committee. Look, though, at the joy Elizabeth derives from a completely different form of service – one of those simple acts of kindness.
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Here is Elizabeth in her garden with Desti (short for Destiny), the little Shetland sheepdog she and her husband, Dave, adopted six months ago. He is 13 years old, almost deaf and with diminishing eyesight. Desti’s former owners were no longer able to take care of him because of circumstances beyond their control. They felt it would be more humane to have him put down than place him in an unsuitable home or animal shelter. Elizabeth and Dave stepped in and adopted him and he is now happily continuing his retirement under their loving protection. The surviving former owner was overjoyed to entrust Desti to Elizabeth and Dave. The poor gentleman had lost everything – his wife, his beautiful home and his health… |
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Elizabeth says she is receiving more from Desti than she is giving. “We are so glad we adopted him,” she writes. “He is loved by us and many others. He is a joy and great company – our nearest neighbours adore him. He stands and walks like the retired Canadian and American Champion he is. He likes to wander around his trees in the back lawn, especially in the snow. He stays very close to both of us and has no wish to be alone or to leave the house and garden and wander elsewhere.” |
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