Suzanne Askham

Wellbeing notes: Leave peace and kindness in your wake

My home is not actually listed as a guest house, but sometimes it feels that way. Of the many people who have stayed here, my favourites arrived last weekend. And when they left, their room was impeccable: bed stripped, room tidied, a small gift for us left on the table. More than that: there was an air of peace and kindness within the room which made it a joy to enter. 

Such people are inspiring. They remind us that leaving a room or situation in kind and thoughtful ways can be the best choice, for ourselves as well as others. No doubt there are many ways to leave peace behind you, but the following three principles can surely help: 

* Consider those who will follow you. Instead of giving them messes to clean up, tidy away all your stuff and leave a calm and neutral space that will be a pleasure for the next person to enter.

* Accept that transitions are best not rushed. Give yourself time to clear up the old and make way for the new. 

* If you are so inclined, send love and blessings to all who will follow in your footsteps. After my guests had left I went to gather some apples, windfalls, from the garden, which got me wondering. Maybe everything we humans leave behind us, including peace and kindness, can be viewed as a harvest of sorts?