Why don't we try kindness first? Why isn't kindness our go-to reaction? Why do we immediately react in kind to perceived slights, snubs, snags and snares? Then feel good about ourselves when we go one better and get over on the originator of the slights.
Some great person once asked the question, "What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?"
Really...ponder that. Just ponder returning kindness for ill-will, kindness for unkindness. Let's face it, most of the great spiritual leaders of the ages have taught love is the answer, no matter the question...that we give love. Why not try showing kindness first if love is too deep a dig to begin with.
A friend told me of a marvelous response to a questionable observation: Someone said to her, "Looks like you've put on some weight." And she replied, "No, I really haven't, but nice of you to notice." And they both smiled.
I love that. Because the observation could have been an invitation for a cat-fight or for hurt feelings, both of which invariably end up in resentment with one or the other determined to get payback.
Sometimes kindness has the ring of goody-two-shoes, but if we're being kind just to make nice-nice, we're going down that wrong road again...the one known as Self Will.
True kindness finds a way to turn ill-will back not with a snark but openly, with a smile. That's the hidden pearl in kindness...it brings a smile to the lips of all concerned. That's probably because true kindness has no ego in it...it's of God, not of self.
Thank You.
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