When we think of softness, we might think of feeling something soft with our fingers. How do we visualize or see softness?

In a world that might feel hard right now, how might we feel soft? When might we find strength in softness?

How might we contemplate softness as a tactile experience – such as the sense of touch? How might we consider softness as a visual experience – such as with the sense of sight? How about we embrace softness as an experience…of love and maybe even life, slowed down, leaned into, lingering with, welcoming?

When we think of phrases about softness, we might come up with soft tacos, soft skills, soft breeze, soft pretzel, softhearted, soft as a baby’s bottom, soft spot, soft soap, soft spot in your heart, soft option, soft shoe, soft landing, soft butter, soft ice cream, soft rock or soft drink.

As we try to welcome in softness, could we think of softness as a friend who would want kindness to come along as a companion? Could we invite her in?

How can we love more softly? How can our love be layered in depths of kindness? What level of openness and vulnerability would loving more softly beckon?

Once when I was working with a couple, I gave them a project for the week, to be kind to one another. When they returned the following week, they reported that “the kindness project” was the most difficult homework I had ever given them. But they stuck with it, and their hearts softened towards each other.

Sometimes, when we want someone to pay attention, we instinctively whisper. It’s the leaning in, the listening closely, that we desire. Sometimes, we whisper for emphasis. Sometimes, for more depth, we could love softly and listen a bit more closely.

Roshi Joan Halifax offers the concept of strong back and soft heart, the idea of operating out of love, not fear. “All too often,” she says, “our so-called strength comes from fear, not love. Instead of having a strong back, many of us have a defended front, shielding a weak spine. In other words, we walk around brittle and defensive, trying to conceal our lack of confidence. If we strengthen our backs, metaphorically speaking, and develop a spine that’s flexible but sturdy, then we can risk having a front that’s soft and open. How can we give and accept care with strong back, soft front, compassion, moving past fear to a place of genuine tenderness? I believe it comes when we can be truly transparent, seeing the world clearly and letting the world see into us.”

This month, I invite you to visualize softness with me. I invite you to feel softness with me, both as a sense of touch AND as an experience.

In addition, I also invite you to visualize, feel and photograph softness throughout the month. It can be a challenging experience to see what you can embrace, what you notice, what stirs your curiosity as you look into and experience softness as a focus…no fancy camera needed, a cell phone is great!

I will share various images of softness on Facebook and Instagram each day with you. If you are not on social media, you can download the daily images here or by clicking the button below..