Tenderness Toward Existence Day

Tenderness Toward Existence Day is observed annually on January 19th.

I have not been able to pinpoint the origin of this unique holiday, which is an anomaly in itself. I never clicked the link for one of these celebrations and found no information at all. It happened twice today.

Perhaps the personal message for me is to see where my thinking has led me. Existence is another word for life, for the state of being. Its origin is from the Latin ex - out, Sistere - take a stand. Existence literally means to make a point or stand out, to be.

Tenderness is a feeling of empathy, compassion, towards someone or something. Kindness is another synonym. So this holiday can be understood as a day of showing kindness and compassion to all living things, to all those who are in the real world.

I suddenly remembered this evening, another definition of tenderness. This word can mean sensitive to pain.

How powerful this weird little vacation has become for me. Gentle towards existence, leading to compassion and sensitivity to the pain of others…

My heart is open. I want love, compassion, and sensitivity to the pain of others to permeate all existence, regardless of race, color, sex, orientation, economic background, age, intelligence… overcome any perceived difference or imaginary barrier. Kindness to all life, all people, whether they are like me or very different, agree with me or disagree, love me or not like me.

A few nights ago, one of the marsupials, which I fed on the front porch, made her way out the back door, and into the utility room through the cat door. Fortunately, the utility room door that opened into the kitchen was closed. But what a surprise to have a marsupial in the house.

Even though the back door was opened so he could get out, he chose not to. He was happy in the corner, by the washing machine. I checked on him many times. There is a broom nearby. I could have tried to kick him out.

Instead, I talk calmly to him every time I check on him. I told him it was fine. He was safe. You can leave whenever you want. I won't hurt him. Whenever I talked to him, he would raise his head and watch me, listening, blinking as if he understood. He never showed any fear, nor did he brush his teeth or hiss. He doesn't play dead either! I have yet to see marsupials, "play marsupials". He is calm and alert. And neither do I, we don't speak the same language, we are very different, but we are connected by mutual respect.

Sometimes during the night, he goes back out into the open.

I thought about that marsupial a lot today. He gave me lessons in acceptance, grace and compassion, and in communicating beyond words. He allowed me to show tenderness. I'm so grateful. I am making life a little softer by being aware of the sacredness of all life, of all existence.

If only I could grab a sketchbook and create a quick organic animal portrait. I was able to celebrate Tenderness Toward Existence Day.

Don’t forget using hashtag #TendernessTowardExistenceDay to spread people around the world to celebrate this holiday together.