The BBC has written a beautiful article on how for centuries Turkey has been using the concept of "askıda ekmek" or paying it forward, with bread.
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20191125-turkeys-ancient-tradition-of-paying-it-forward
I've heard of a bakery here in Oregon following the idea of sharing day old bread by hanging it on street posts outside their businesses for people (especially the homeless population in their area) to help themselves.
But the cultural and religious history as explained in the article are truly interesting.
"Muslim hadiths, the collected sayings of the Prophet Muhammed, bread is nimet, a blessing sent from God."
And the concepts of breaking bread with others spreads the sacredness of the blessings of giving in many religions.
But the whole idea of "askıda ekmek" or paying it forward with bread as a practice is wonderful.
Gives a whole new significant to bringing bread to a potluck or a hostess gift or even (pardon me fruitcake haters) to giving fruit breads for gifts. ?
My husband heard this on the human interest part of the nightly news yesterday and retold the story which I'd missed. But we were both so touched by this story when I caught it on a later news program that I looked for a link so others could read it here.
The love of this little boys teacher for her new student and her compassion for his dying mom after they'd only recentjy even moved to the town and her school where she taught just brings tears to my eyes.
@michele-b-here-in-the-forum
What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing.
It's the heart touching stuff that opens us up and brings more light into our hearts. And not just thinking we can send it out to others with every post we respond to if we don't have it to give.
So, to anyone reading this, Happy U.S. Thanksgiving and may family or friends bring in laughter and connection with your hearts and theirs!
And remember there's so much good in so many people and there is still an awful lot of giving, loving, and sharing going on.
Good news, good people, good ideas!
"Life comes at you. You have to accept and embrace it." There's a lesson there. What a beautiful story.
@lynnventura
Oh Lynn, you are so right! It's the embracing that's most challenging to accept and sometimes you have to throw a lot of hissy fits or cry every day for months and months but finally, if you're ready and willing to change for your own sake as well as others a light comes on and enters within.
Oh, but it can be hard when its really really big things!
Loved reading this compilation of good news from the year:
https://futurecrun.ch/99-good-news-2019?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
Loved this article so much!
Nicole Krauss’s Beautiful Letter to Van Gogh on How to Break the Loop of Our Destructive Patterns
My heart is feeling the beauty of so much hidden here within the words. There are so many artists among us ...for you: