the church of kindness…
April 4, 2012
Money is short…time even shorter…yet still I found myself wandering my local thrift store because this is what I do when I feel particularly bad about either of those things. There it was, a really, really old church pew. I know it’s old because it’s uncomfortable and so simply made. I wanted it bad. There was no good or logical reason to buy an old church pew, but it’s a good thing I am hardly ever logical I guess.
The Facebook status update went something like this:
i have no $ but bought a really, really old church pew today…and I figure many an old lady or gent said some prayers in those seats…and who needs money when you have the remnants of old lady prayers…
It sort of feels like that today, that you are leaning into something old, or something or one that has walked before you because you know on some level the people before you did too. So the old pew sits, and every morning I sit, for just a minute or two and let it hold all of me.
…and it sits under this window, so now all together, the stained glass window must make it official, colored light and all, I am opening the kindness church. (partially because I can’t seem to sit in a real church these days)
Just like any church, it holds hope and doubt, confusion, anger, truth, strength and a bit of solace. Except in this place, there is also swearing, not lots of sermons (except if someone forgets their jacket and you lose your cool, a kid may school you), lots of messes, a weekly dance party and maybe the occasional atheist, I’m not sure but I love that.
and I am pretty sure the the Dalai Lama was right when he said, “My religion is simple, my religion is Kindness.”
There is no should, or drumming it up, or right way, it is just being. If you don’t feel kind, it’s probably because you need some yourself and if you are scared, there is courage waiting for you, and if there is wonder, there is beauty in trying it out…if there is a place where love and human connection exist, it is in kindness.
So the church is open my friends, come and sit…or find a bus bench, a couch, a subway seat, a sidewalk step, it’s all there too…ready to hold all of you.
Kindnessgirl 
April 4, 2012 at 7:56 am
I love this. I wish I could find an old pew seat to buy. I get what you are saying. I feel the same way. To just sit for a moment and talk to God and say thank for today. To be still. Just a moment in my day, but it makes it all seem better. Now to find me a pew….
April 4, 2012 at 7:59 am
I have always wanted a church pew (not joking!). I love that you bought one. This was a great post. And, I love the Dalai Lama’s quote you included. Thanks for your blog.
April 4, 2012 at 8:08 am
LOVE! 🙂 I’m right there with ya…it seems a bit more open than a pew in a typical church…less judgemental…less boundaries…less shoulds…it is a kindness pew…i will find my kindness place today…love to you!
April 4, 2012 at 8:20 am
I lost my job 6 months ago and thrift stores are where I go to get inspire. Your posts seem to come at just the right time… we started a new company and the future looks promising but this week we ran out of cash. I know we will be ok but I’m going to try leaning in the prayers of mamas who came before me. That is a powerful force.
Please keep writing.
Peace – Mary
April 4, 2012 at 8:29 am
LOVE!!! I have one too, but it serves as an altar in my bedroom (which is kind of funny because I am Jewish) it has candles, crystals, a piece of art, and some lovely jeweled lamps at each end. ENJOY …… a good place to rest your bones and unload your soul 🙂
April 4, 2012 at 8:31 am
This is my favorite post ever Patience. You are so beautiful and full of love.
April 4, 2012 at 8:55 am
I agree with Melinda. One of your best posts ever Patience!
April 4, 2012 at 9:07 am
Patience, I read your blog every morning and feel inspired throughout each day. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us.
April 4, 2012 at 9:14 am
Reblogged this on pathwriter.
April 4, 2012 at 9:30 am
Oh Patience, I love the idea that someone went before me, the same struggle, the same hope, the same prayers…it really does help to know you are not alone, now or before or after you have been here…wherever “here” happens to be. Thank you for your kind and honest words. I needed them so much today.
April 4, 2012 at 9:45 am
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful gift with all of us. It truly resonates with my beliefs. Compassion, connectedness with all people, and kindness is the essence of life itself.
April 4, 2012 at 10:02 am
I love this.
PS. We began a home church with just our family a few weeks ago, and it’s wonderful.
April 4, 2012 at 10:36 am
Totally lovely post! 🙂
April 4, 2012 at 10:46 am
I too have always wanted an old church pew. one day I found one for free on craigslist. when we went to get it we found that it was from our old church. It now sits on my front porch….in true southern style. I love the idea of sitting on it each morning and letting it hold me. thank you for your inspiration!
April 4, 2012 at 10:51 am
This is such a lovely & inspiring post from such a luminous person! Thank you so much..
April 4, 2012 at 11:19 am
As a little girl sitting in the pew in church I was consumed with love, as I grew older I started to see large discrepancies in the messages being sent at church. I want to be that little girl again, sittin in the pew, consumed with love. Your post brought me right back there – thank-you!!
April 4, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Love this!! My parents used to have a pew, I wish I had asked for it when they got rid of it! What a neat thought. Old lady prayers.. 🙂
April 4, 2012 at 1:13 pm
When you mentioned “old lady prayers” I thought of all of the wonderful older women I have had in my life and felt as if I was being held by each one. Thank you for that gift!!!
April 4, 2012 at 2:20 pm
[…] more: the church of kindness… « Kindnessgirl Posted in Church Tags: church, cool, except-if-someone, holds-hope, jacket, not-lots, place, […]
April 4, 2012 at 2:44 pm
I love this post and wish I lived close enough to come do some sitting in that sacred pew. old prayers…..tears cried…joy felt….remnants of days past filled with hope of new tomorrows…..the seat of hope….
thanks for this post..I needed it today..now I want a pew too.
April 4, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Dear Patience,
I loved this sentence that you penned :
” If you don’t feel kind, it’s probably because you need some yourself and if you are scared, there is courage waiting for you, and if there is wonder, there is beauty in trying it out…if there a place where love and human connection exist, it is in kindness. ”
This is so true. We are happiest when we are kind. 🙂 Thank you and have a great day!
April 4, 2012 at 3:49 pm
très beautiful.
April 4, 2012 at 4:45 pm
You are:
amazing
inspiring
beautiful
(inside &out)
wise
and
so much more…
Thank you 🙂
April 4, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Brilliantly expressed! I’m impressed by your wonderful and beautiful and uplifting blog. Sincerely, Deborah
April 5, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Church of Kindness is a good place to sit and collect your thoughts, feel your feelings and let it go if it needs to be let go of. I am often recited that quote about serenity and all it seems to do is irk me, so this quietness, existing and receiving sounds like a good method to me. Thanks for sharing, Patience.
June 3, 2014 at 5:27 pm
That is easily the most wonderful thing I’ve read in a long time. Thank you for that, it is truly beautiful.
I hope to find such a church some day.
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