UVic Caring Project
Small things done with care .
A project by Christopher Bowers… Spiritual Care Provider with UVic’s Multifaith Centre
Our homes, neighbourhoods and wider communities could do with more caring acts. Having some examples can be helpful in becoming aware of different ways of engaging in caring actions, and prompting more ‘moments’ big or small.
How you can be involved — local action What was a caring moment you witnessed or experienced? We would love you to share written or video posts below. If you’d like some help with recording , contact us to have your story recorded ( video or audio). Here are some video examples from UVic and beyond. We also have an Instagram account, and Facebook Group that you’re welcome to contribute to.
A chance encounter across campus provided opportunities to give Will a hand with an item he left on the bus, and in turn he had a few minutes to share how he cares and supports individuals and groups with his unique skill set.
Will Weigler– co-creating amazing community projects from Christopher Bowers on Vimeo.
Supporting local business staff
There were some new twists to my banking transaction at Vancity today. I had Jean Luc in the front pocket of my special pup-sweat shirt. As I was locking up my bike in front, the manager tapped on the wiindow and gave a friendly gesture towards Jean Luc. They renewed their connection a few days earlier.
When I entered the credit union today, I went to her office.. she was already coming towards me and welcomed being able to hold Jean Luc. She said, “You can do your transactions and come back.”
After the transaction I thought I’d go to a local grocery to see if I could spot someone I wanted to talk to.
The manager who was on a speaker phone call, told me… “I’ll keep him”.
When I returned the manager and Jean Luc were in the adjoining office. That staff member was loving her time with Jean Luc.
The manager said, “I couldn’t help it” . They both commented how stress reducing having a few minutes with Jean Luc was.
I phoned a former neighbour who we have always be friendly and caring to. I was looking for an update of her future plans for accommodation, now that she felt ready for a bit more support at home. I shared some spiritual perspectives on being cared for each step of the way. It was a lovely exchange but then I didn’t hear anything from her for a week of more…
A couple of days ago she wrote this to me:
“I’m just on my way to bed , and realized I hadn’t answered your call.
So I listened again,
And there it was. It was beautiful to feel that warmth in my chest when I heard your message. Didn’t even need to hear the words…your kind and caring Voice just brought a smile to my whole body.
Your thoughtful and generous call, has made my day.
All goes well!!
And I have it recorded should I need a little reminder of what friends mean to me, now, and always have.”
It was a lovely June day, and I was puttering in the garden, pulling weeds and the like. I had been on my hands and knees, and when I stood up, I noticed a woman sitting on the seat side of her walker looking straight at me! Although I was surprised, I said ‘Hello’. She replied and said how she was enjoying the garden & flowers. I had just picked up a bearded Iris flower that I found mostly broken off from its stem, and I showed it to her (her name is Emily), and we commented on how beautiful they are. Emily mentioned how it could be placed in a shallow bowl with water, and did I have such a bowl.
We continued talking about the weather, plants, flowers and so on. Emily commented that she had lived some time in England, in the southeast by the North Sea, and how much the weather here reminded her of England.
It occurred to me as we talked that she might like this Iris flower I was holding, and so I offered it to her. She was so pleased; and smiling, she got up and I gave her the flower. Emily then got ready to head home (just around the corner), because she didn’t want the Iris to get crushed in her bag. It was a lovely moment of conversation and finding connections in the beauty of flowers. It also was a lovely moment of hearing what someone who wanted to be heard was saying, and to act on it and not just listen.
Bringing some love to local business
Neighbourhood deer were eating all flowers and even buds of our neighbour’s roses. Loni wrapped hair from her brush around or near the flowers. They are now perfectly safe.
Ppl come and go.Its very hard not to miss them.
Most ppl are generous and share their love to others uniquely/in different ways. We should accept all help offered to us and Say Thank You in our own unique ways.
We just need to see ppl’s generosities even if it’s nothing.
It could be just a smile from a young lady who gives us generously. Just smile her back.
Or an old lady sharing her own recipe of her cookies.
Or a scientist shares her achievement/free access paper because she wants other researchers in other countries do their research easier and more reasonable…