#8 exploring kindness

I have never met a person whose greatest need was anything other than real, unconditional love. You can find it in a simple act of kindness toward someone who needs help. There is no mistaking love, it is the common fibre of life, the flame that heats our soul, energises our spirit and supplies passion to our lives – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Hello lovelies,

Today, I wanted to talk about something I value dearly: kindness. In an age where it seems to be dwindling, now more than ever, we need this feeling or quite simply: as our Nature.

Kindness to me is exactly as Kübler-Ross states, showing unconditional love. Within this, it’s about having empathy, being genuine, acting for the other person as a support without judgement, and being compassionate. It is acting out of love and for a want of care. It’s not just about other people. It’s about showing yourself this care, this love, this kindness,

It brings with it an abundance of light by presenting yourself and others that there is a sense of solidarity, it fosters community and brings all manners of pleasant emotions. It ranges from obvious joy to unexpected relief to connection, a sense of belonging, a boost in self-esteem. Working for these benefits, being kind, can ease in just this little bit of light, a spark in yourself and others, this can then be shared with others. In this world, filled with atrocities, centring of those around us, there is no such thing as a small act. The gesture as it were will unleash all the light needed.

It’s so important because kindness is becoming a resistance movement. There is so much in our world that divides us, but we are all human. We are equal in that and are all deserving of kindness. As this world is succumbing to darkness, we can be the Light Chaser. We shine so others can, too.

I enact kindness by first knowing I want to be kind just to be kind. I act out of love because I know I have an abundance. So, I first start with myself: what do I need? What can I do today that will nourish me? Where can I be kinder today? Then to others: is there anything you need? I’m here for you. Are you feeling okay? I’m here to listen. Is there anything I can do if it’s within my ability? Something as simple as a thoughtful message can make someone’s day.

Starting can be hard. Continuing kindness in an age of division is even harder. So, try the hardest of them all, being kind to yourself. We can be so harsh on ourselves, undeservingly so. Possibly because we were trained from young to see all the negativity within us, that these aspects are unacceptable and when it’s simply being human we denigrate ourselves and ‘other’ the rest of the world. It can be hard to see where we can be kind and how to do it without being exhausted. So start very small. Do something nourishing.

I wanted to talk about this because it’s high time we started a revolution of kindness. We need to resist all the harshness placed upon us. We need to start seeing our Whole Selves and the Wholeness of others around us. It comes from respect, kindness and understanding.

Lately I see a need more than ever. So let’s foster the kindness to bring our passion, love and community.