By: Judy Johnson
Source: The Daily Guardian https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/view/1808/the-daily-guardian/15
Dated: December 21st, 2024

Kindness is the cornerstone of human existence. Beneath all the noise and sorrow, there is a bedrock that never moves. And that bedrock is love.

There are many words that describe this core energy of love: benevolence, care, compassion, concern, courtesy, gentleness, goodness, goodwill, grace, sweetness, tenderness, thoughtfulness, tolerance, understanding, and unselfishness. 

Kindness is the all-purpose, every day, all-round, in-every-situation expression of my natural state of love. It is versatile because it can be applied in any situation. I may not be able to love everyone, but I can be kind. 

J.K.K. Tolkien, author of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” believed that it is only the “small acts of kindness and love that combat evil.”

Kindness is not only a moral imperative but also a spiritual practice.  By choosing kindness, we align ourselves with the Higher Power and contribute to the creation of a more compassionate world.

When we are kind to others, we are basically being complicit with goodness and with God. God’s ultimate goal is to awaken the inherent goodness within each soul.  By practicing kindness, we participate in this divine mission.

The God I understand is a God of pure love, devoid of punishment or fear.  Turning to this divine love instantly fills me with a sense of my spiritual beauty, a beauty that God has always seen.

God is my constant companion, my partner, and my ally. When I doubt my own kindness or goodness, I turn to that Source of love. It is easier to feel full of love, even when I am feeling down.

Kindness begins when I learn to be kind to myself. If I am unable to be kind to myself, I am unable to be genuinely kind to others.Being hard on myself is a major obstacle to self kindness. It is self-judgment that stops me from being kind to myself. Past mistakes and perceived shortcomings can hinder self-compassion and lead to a negative self-image.

We all have memories of when we did not act in our own best interest. These past experiences can create a negative self-image, making it difficult to extend kindness to ourselves. But it is important to remember that we were doing the best we could at the time. 

It is a challenge to maintain kindness in a world that often seems hostile. Kindness is also cultivating a mindset of compassion and understanding.  By recognizing that everyone is struggling in their own way, we can respond with empathy and patience.

Everyone’s bad behaviours are driven by their unkindness to self, their negative belief about themselves. I can only see that if I stay a little quieter inside. By prioritizing our inner peace and spiritual connection, we can offer authentic and lasting kindness to others.

Beware of the pitfalls of over-involvement and people-pleasing which can deplete our energy and hinder our ability to help others. It is wise to check the self, am I getting over-involved?  Am I living with the illusion that I can fix someone? This is not kindness. Instead of trying to solve everyone’s problems, I can cultivate an attitude of kindness that empowers others. I can give good wishes through my mind, and strength and power. This kindness allows others to find their own solutions and grow from their experiences. We do this by developing the power of discernment. We become attuned to when to offer assistance and when to practice compassionate detachment. 

Breaking old patterns of over-involvement can be challenging.  True kindness involves establishing healthy boundaries and offering support without sacrificing our own well-being.

Judy Johnson coordinates 
the activities of Brahma Kumaris meditation centers in Atlantic Canada.