Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good. Clarissa Pinkola Estes
I came across this quote a while ago and saved it, thinking that I might use it in a post sometime. And, today, whilst looking at some old drafts I came across it, and thought that the time had come to share it.
After a number of recent ‘big mean things’ happening across the world, this feels like a very good time for ‘small calm things’. A few days ago I finished the cotton blanket I have been making for 60 Million Trebles (who have got two thirds of the way to their goal, reaching 40 million trebles last week), I’ve now returned to the wool and squares sent to me by Wild Daffodil earlier this year… it’s very fine yarn, so this blanket could take a while, but I am regarding every blanket that gets sent out as representing a hug to someone in need.
I’m also thinking that over the next month I will try to focus on some random (and not so random) crafts/acts of kindness. I have one gift completed to send off to a friend who is not at all well at the moment (no picture, as I want it to be a surprise), I have a partially made blanket that I want to send to a bereaved friend (again no picture to maintain the surprise), and I’ve made a start on some letter- and postcard-writing that’s long overdue.
so many letters!
I like random acts of kindness directed at strangers who I will never meet, but it’s also uplifting to do something for someone I know, allowing me to witness the positive effect of my action.
The Snail of Happiness 
thecontentedcrafter
/ June 5, 2017I am heartened greatly that your small corner of Wales is so fortunate to have you working away ensuring that your reach is filled with positivity, hugs created by yarn and arms and random acts of kindness. Never under-estimate the size of your reach! The crochet blanket hanging on the line is just stunningly beautiful! The other gifts, secret and partially complete pique my interest and the pile of hand-written cards waiting to be sent out – just wonderful! I have the intention of doing that too and every day ends with it still remaining a good idea….. I find your output inspiring Jan! xo
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 5, 2017Thank you… I really intend to write many more cards and letters than I actually manage, but every one counts.
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Kailee Billerbeck
/ June 5, 2017Wow, such a great quote and I love your message!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 5, 2017Thank you! I really like the idea of small kind things… everyone can do them!
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Murtagh's Meadow
/ June 5, 2017That is an amazing quote. I may have to borrow it sometime. Thanks for sharing:-)
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 5, 2017It’s lovely, isn’t it? I just wish I could remember who directed me to it!
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Pat
/ June 5, 2017The big bad things get all the publicity. It’s important to remember that down here on the ground lots of good things are going on. I’m definitely borrowing that quote.
Someone gave me a hug like yours several years ago and it’s still warming my winters. Keep making those hugs!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 7, 2017Glad you like the quote… and keep enjoying that hug!
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arlingwoman
/ June 5, 2017I love the idea of many people performing healing acts until there is a tipping point. That blanket is so beautiful I can’t imagine someone not thinking of it as a hug when they get it. I do hope there is an end to the vile madness soon (vain I know, but I can hope). I am sorry you’ve seen these three horrible events at all, much less in such close succession.
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katechiconi
/ June 5, 2017In the end, it will be kindness that saves us all, the kind of small, human-scale generosity of spirit, of which governments and nations appear incapable. Kindness is not weakness, it’s not conceding the advantage, it’s not irrelevant. It’s all we need. Of all the self improvement I would like to undertake, the chiefest one is to be more kind.
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Born To Organize
/ June 6, 2017Jan, that’s a beautiful quote. Thank you for sharing it at a time when everyone is floundering for a way up. I agree that gifts are wonderful for both strangers and friends. I’m glad you are safe. I want everyone to be safe. Perhaps if we could sit people down, one by one, tuck a kitten under their chin and a blanket across their lap better things would be possible. xo
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nanacathy2
/ June 6, 2017That is a lovely quote, and it makes a solution so much more attainable. If everyone did something, just think how much that would be.The big thing that we in the UK can do this week is to show our belief in democracy and vote. Nice blanket by the way.
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davidprosser
/ June 6, 2017You can’t beat random acts of kindness to warm your own heart from the reaction.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Laurie Graves
/ June 6, 2017A great big YES to kindness and creativity!!!!!
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iamsimplyhooked
/ June 7, 2017Some blanket! And some lovely sentiments too. We should all keep up with kindness, especially in times like these.
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Mrs P
/ June 7, 2017What a wonderful post, thanks for sharing a little love in blogland x
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KerryCan
/ June 7, 2017I love the idea of “small and calm” in the center of what seems like a nasty storm. You do good things, Jan . . .
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 7, 2017I want to focus particularly on the ‘calm’ as I do feel I can get a bit manic sometimes!
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Wild Daffodil
/ June 10, 2017You are doing such a magnificent job with that 4ply yarn. Sending hugs in the form of blankets is a wonderful thing to do. That is such a great quote and sums up perfectly how I have felt about green issues and now it applies to all the other dark sides of human behaviour – being part of the critical mass and knowing there are other like minded souls out there, like you and our blogging pals is such a good feeling and an antidote to all the feelings that flood in at times. Thanks for sharing Jan.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ June 10, 2017I do love the quote and it’s a joy to actually do some small calm things too.
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