What You Need To Know About Kindness
What is the kindest thing you have ever witnessed?
A token or gift given to someone in celebration of a milestone? Birthday, wedding, graduation, divorce, promotion, new home? Those are nice, and yes, thoughtful (keep ‘em coming!..ok you know I’m a kidder!)
The kindest moments I’ve ever known are from the heart. Not “things” necessarily, but a heartfelt gesture.
Driving a friend to an appointment
A phone call checking in on someone who might be struggling
Dropping off a dinner
A greeting card with a sincere and appreciative note
Listening to that story again
Letting people be who they are, accepting them, and loving them anyways
Mother Teresa stuff?
The message?
I care about you
you are important and so worthy
I wanted you to know I was thinking about you
"How many times have you noticed that it’s the little quiet moments in the midst of life that seem to give the rest extra-special meaning?” -Fred Rogers
I’m lucky, I have assembled a wonderful tribe of friends and family who daily demonstrate “my kind’ of kindness. I witness them going about this holy work, mentoring and ministering as a part of who they are. My mother, Betty, was expert at this. Quiet, classy, and intuitively generous……knda wish I paid more attention!
Let’s take this one step further. It’s important, and it’s where we miss the boat. Stay with me.
I will tell you though, the greatest and bravest kindness I have ever seen was not to another person.
The greatest kindness I have had the pleasure to witness is when a woman (in this case) looks inward, warts and all, and offers herself a gentle word, an acceptance, forgiveness and serenity. Not in perfection (don’t get me started) but in the mess of it.
“Nothing beats kindness," said the horse, “it sits quietly beyond all things.” -Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
Where could you use a little more kindness to yourself? It’s the most challenging kindness, and it’s where all the other kindnesses (see above) begin.
I have watched extremely accomplished people, who do a lot for others on the regular, fail miserably at THIS inner kindness. It’s the best work you can do. It's the best example you can set. People are watching.
Learn this skill, and watch those “sticky points” that you wrestle unravel in a peaceful and centered way.Once you get this, there is NO going back! Here’s the big secret, you are already enough, you always have been.