Message Received

It’s seems BecomingJayne has taken on a literature theme. I have found that there is no better way to empathize with a 16 year old girl from Philadelphia who lost her sister on 9-11 or understand the thoughts of a mother living with cancer, tor a boy lost at sea, than by connecting with these characters in a novel. I gain an understanding of people and places that I might never get to experience, like children living through abuse or war. My blog has become a way for me to reflection on what I’ve read and the impact it has on my being. Today’s entry is no exception.

I recently finished the book, I am the Messenger, by Markus Zusak. The story is about a young taxi driver that is living in his home town spinning his wheels with no real goals or aspirations. Yet, he has been secretly picked to become the messenger. He is sent to deliver messages of hope, fear, support and love. The story is of how he accomplishes these deliveries through real life interaction and creative acts of kindness. Some simple, some not so simple.  It’s kind of a “pay it forward” story.

In the end, he calls himself the message, not just the messenger. His life was changed. I was inspired to think of my encounters with people and the messages I send. I soon became attentive to the messages I was sending and receiving:

Ø  A smile at a stranger, a message of friendliness,

Ø  Grabbing an extra bag for another lady in the produce aisle, a message of kindness

Ø  A man stops to help me when my car broke down, a message of safety and concern from him a message of thankfulness from me.

Ø  Opening my house to a friend in a troubled marriage, a message of support and encouragement.

Ø  Picking up my son long after I have been sleeping, a message of love and safety.

 Wow, many messages sent and received. Being aware of the messages I am sending has empowed my way of being. I want to be a messenger of love, peace, compassion and joy. A challenge I realize...but a way of being and becoming.

So, what messages have you sent today?

BecomingJayne……I am a message.