Please welcome one of our global Pinkies Maddie, who joins us from Melbourne, Australia and is an active member of the forum and posse blog. Originally from the UK, Maddie has been on a Seekers path over the past 5 or 6 years, exploring life's twists, turns, and tumbles. She calls it like she sees it, cheers Pinkies on from the rooftops, and offers advice when asked (but doesn’t sulk if you don’t take it!). This post is about paying Owning Pink forward, reminding us that when we find our mojos, the easiest way to reinforce what we've learned is to pass it on -- often to those least expecting it.

Doing Good

GOOP is actress Gwynneth Paltrow's e-newsletter on health, travel, food and more -- and I look forward to receiving it every week. I love the recommended recipes (which are heavenly, vegetarian, and easy to cook!), but I also enjoy the occasional glimpses you get into her life -- like in a recent Doing Good post:

“When someone you know is overwhelmed by life, confronted by obstacles that are a little too heavy to carry alone, it’s easy to feel unsure of how to respond. That’s the time to remember it’s not what you do, but that you do something. Often, we don’t realize that what may seem like a small gesture or an insignificant act to us can actually make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. This book offers practical ways on how to reach out to help someone and lend a hand. There are no perfect words, no perfect gestures. Simply reach out and touch someone’s heart. Be brave, be a little more generous, be kind.”

So goes the introduction for a little book called Do Good: 201 Ways to Lend a Hand. This is a sweet and often ingenious guide to helping us figure out ways in which we can help a loved one who needs support in some way. It got us thinking, when life’s difficulties come crashing over, what are the ways in which we can offer a little life raft for those who have always been there for us. Aside from those contained in “Do Good,” here are some ideas on ways to support someone who is traversing one of life’s more serious obstacles.

Paying Pink Forward

It got me thinking too. We talk all the time about finding our mojos, but can we remember the last thing we did to help someone else find theirs? How do we pay Owning Pink forward?

My most recent Owning Pink "Mojo Giving" was by holding a profoundly autistic boy's hand while his mother stood on in amazement. She was dropping him off for respite care on Saturday, and normally he takes a while to settle (as any change to his routine disturbs him). I had followed them both into the Centre, bouncing in like I normally do to any room, and said a cheery hello.

I hadn't read his file, I hadn't met him before, I had no idea mornings were normally difficult struggles for the family -- struggles which could easily escalate into fully-blown battles, just to allow his mother to leave. I put my bag and coat down, and waved hello, smiling at him.

He reached out, held my hand and we walked around the room. He was pointing things out to me, artwork on the walls, the TV and so on, and his mother was able to sneak out without a fight. He was my buddy for the rest of the day. When I left at the end of the afternoon, I got the equivalent of a hug from him: he stood in front of me and gave a satisfied long inhale and sigh.

I got a phone call from the association on Monday to say that for the first time in ages, his mother wasn't upset about leaving him. She was able to relax and enjoy her day of rest.

I will have a proud smile on my heart for that for a while yet.

Spreading the Mojo

What about you? How do you pay Pink forward while reinforcing your own mojo? What can we do as a community to spread the love?

With a smiling heart,

Maddie

Feature photo credit: photoxpress.com