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The Cape of Kindness

At a performance of Penny Stone’s Seeds of Hope: A Feminist Requiem in the chapel at Glasgow University, one piece drew on Maya Angelou’s words from Oprah’s Master Class. Angelou describes calling on everyone who has ever been kind to her, from old friends to passing strangers, whenever she has something difficult to face. She takes their kindness with her. I’ve been thinking about it ever since, and about a woman who once brought me a cup of tea and a brownie on the worst morning of my first trade show.

In this film I talk about kindness as something that takes nerve, not something soft or sweet. It isn’t people-pleasing. It’s the small, real moments of connection that lift both people, and that build up into something you can wear when you need courage.

You can find out more about Penny’s requiem here:

Maya Angelou on kindness as courage, a feminist requiem in Glasgow, and a stranger’s cup of tea at my first trade show. A Friday Film from Snapdragon Life.

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Tags: slowlife, experiments

Comments: 4 (Add)

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Gabriele Brandhuber

Today’s video touches me deeply. It is wise, understated, and for that very reason, so very powerful. The studio space you provide is truly a cozy, inspiring, and empowering place — because the people there are kind and encouraging, just like you. Thank you, Jane.

SnapdragonJane

In reply to Gabriele Brandhuber

Thank you Gabriele. That means a lot. J x

Sue Laverack

A couple of weeks ago I bought bottled water 'just in case' and it came in packs of 6 x 2 litre bottles. I was struggling to get it into my trolley without squashing everything already in there and a woman came up, didn't say anything but took the water off me freeing my hands to clear a space and then put it in the trolley for me. I thanked her and she smiled then disappeared to get on with her own shopping. She wasn't patronising me - 'poor old dear' or 'stupid woman not making space first' - just very down to earth and practical. I think the first step to kindness is not being so wrapped up in our own busyness and importance that we stop noticing the people around us and what might help them. Holding a door open counts. Being patient when someone takes time to choose their can of beans in the supermarket and blocks the flow of trolleys counts. And smiling! I love the idea of remembering all the kindnesses as a cape of courage - I shall remember that.

Kathie Hoyer

That was perfect! I want to share this with my daughter, who quails at stepping out into the world - and I, in turn need the cape of courage to share this with her! It's hard to be a mother sometimes.
Thank you also for telling us about Penny Stone - and it's so perfect that she curates patchwork quilts that people make to honor the courageous women in their lives! So cool! The first one has her mother's name in the middle, you have to enlarge to 100% to read them.

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