Being kind to others and to yourself can help a lot in times of trouble.
We live in difficult times. No need to say much about it. Everyone knows the challenges he’s been through and how this moment demands the best that lives there. To support this process, I want to remind us (I include myself as a reader) of one virtue that can help us: kindness. It is often overlooked and seems to be less remembered than better known virtues such as faith, love, compassion and courage. But it can be the antidote to many of our challenges.
Start being kind to yourself
The first person you should practice kindness with is I really can. Remember that we are experiencing something unique and challenging, so don’t become your own executioner. High performance is not covered, delivering a great achievement, having Buddha peace or evolving like Jesus.
Being kind means accepting your limitations. Embrace your emotions. Tell yourself that everything is fine and be aware that everyone is doing their best. This brings peace of mind because, if I myself cannot accept and welcome myself, I will hardly be able to do it with others.
share kindness
Once I can be kind to myself, I put myself in a position to practice it with those around me. These days I have caught myself feeling a lot anger from a person who had been rude to me. I didn’t even know her and was asking for more loving behavior. But then I thought, “Wow, that’s not easy for me. Maybe it’s not easy for her either.” And then I figured I’d have my own tools and repertoire to look good.
Maybe that person didn’t have those resources. Within moments I was able to change my behavior and tried to be nice to her. I cracked a smile. Thank you. I’ve tried to bring it up and be nice. I confess that I have not been able to delve much into the conversation. But I felt good about myself for not taking my frustration out on that someone. And maybe I even helped her calm down a bit.
change your environment
It’s so easy to be kind when everything is wonderful. But it takes a clearer and more present intention to choose to be kind when the context is not favorable. We have all the ingredients for be rude and spread our anger around the world. We can choose not to and practice kindness with the intention of changing our surroundings. Shall we practice a little?
Text originally published in the journal Vida Simples (Edition 231)
By Gustavo Tanaka
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Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
