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MyPE

MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Dear Alan – I am going to be real honest here and say…

28 December 2019 By Alan Straton

Be Kind and Play this one LOUD:

The story of my receipt of what is probably one of the kindest messages ever.

My cynical soul can be quite wary when it comes to Social Media so when I get friend requests I tend to consider them for the longest time, preferring to accept requests from current friends.

A number of months ago I accepted a friend request from a woman – it took me a while to work out just who this person was – a blast from the past, from the time before army and life happened more than 30 years ago. From a time when carefree youth and excitement were the order of the day.

The request came from a platonic female friend and I remember her fondly as an old soul with a really genuine heart seeking love and happiness.

I responded in my wary PC way just glad to have made the connection and to have relived the happy memory of a friend with a beautiful inner soul.

Months went by and I did not receive an immediate reply until now…

And the reply made me realise that I DO have an inner kindness and goodness in me that was recognised many years ago by other people. A kindness that I took for granted as I just lived it without question.

I have to share the reply from my friend of over 30 years ago in the hope that it will inspire someone else to be kind and not expect anything in return:

Dear Alan – I am going to be real honest here and say… I never forgot you, you were one of the kindest people I have ever met in my life. Thank you for your kindness and caring way that you showed to my whole family. Anyway I hope life has been kind and good to you.

And the message from me to you?

Always be kind, always apologise, always love without condition, forgive, learn and ride the joy.

Relive the time when you were your best person and strive to be that person constantly – sometimes it takes an old soul to remind you of just how kind you can be.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.
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Filed Under: Editorial Tagged With: kind

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