On coming back to writing after a month-long hiatus, several questions popped into my mind. Was a break a good idea? Would I have to dig a lot deeper to feel inspired to create practices? Would I find the words for my posts that ring true? Would I still be mindful? What should I say after an absence?
But then I remembered two things: “should” is an unnecessary word and inspiration always shows up. This week I found inspiration in Rebecca Dudley’s Hank Finds an Egg. This is a new book for me.
Hank highlights love in action: kindness. More specifically, he shows us that wanting to be kind can be all the inspiration one needs to actually be kind. The Universe will help out with the rest.
Hank is a little fellow, and he finds an egg on the ground in the woods. He instantly wants to help return it to its nest. But, he cannot reach the nest in the tree.
He’s persistent though. He uses the resources in the woods to create a stool and then a ladder. When those don’t meet his needs, he shelters the egg and stays with it overnight. The next morning, he returns to the tree, greeted by a helper. Together, they protect and creatively settle the egg into the nest.
Hank, like any of us, could have walked away or stopped after his first try. But his eagerness to be kind seemed to have momentum behind it, allowing him to be persistent without tiring or getting frustrated. It sparked creativity that served needs as they arose, even when inconvenient or challenging or a little time-consuming. It seemed to motivate him. It seemed to pour love into his actions.
But Dudley’s teachings don’t stop there! Hank never speaks, and Dudley offers no narration. Using only images chronicling Hank’s efforts, Dudley has remind me about and offered a way to teach children about kindness. Basically…do…don’t say!
We can tell ourselves how we “should” or “could” be mindful. We can tell our children how to be kind. We can even read them lots of books with lots of words that talk about the do’s and don’ts of social behavior.
But that which sticks with us is typically tagged to: how something makes us feel. And Dudley, drawing us in with the eyes, makes us feel Hank’s world. We see his dilemma, we see his role, we see his strengths and limitations when working toward a goal, and we see him utilize opportunities.
Dudley could have narrated Hank’s thought process. She could have praised him. She even could have expressed how she feels each of us could “be Hank” for someone or something in need.
But I doubt the impression of her story would be as memorable– at least for me. Why? Without a storyline, I created Hank’s thoughts and emotions. I felt how he felt with each failed attempt to help. I problem-solved alongside him. And I felt relieved and proud and content when he finally succeeded. I felt as connected with Hank and the egg as I presume Hank felt with the egg. I closed the book inspired to eek out one small gesture of kindness before nightfall!
I think the inspiration to be persistently kind originates from feeling connected. We want to be kind when we feel connected. Hank felt connected to the egg and kindness just flowed. I identified with Hank and felt the urge to be kind…and it wouldn’t let up!
I feel lucky to have found this book this week. Dudley’s made diving back into writing about mindfulness fun. She’s made me exchange all my seemingly silly questions earlier for one meaningful one: what if we were persistently kind?
It’s possible, however, I haven’t found the “right” words for this post or uncovered the “best” message to spark mindfulness, but I’m okay with those outcomes. After all, Hank didn’t succeed on his first attempt. He simply remained inspired and tried again. And I’ve felt quite inspired to write, read and be mindful!
Happy to be back in the library and community. Until next time, Namaste.
I recommend this book for ages 4 and up.
Themes: kindness, care-taking, love, and nature
Themes for Yoga Teachers: maitri, nature, love, mindfulness
