February 7, 2011

Thought for the Week

'If you were arrested for being kind, would there be enough evidence to convict you?' 
-source unknown, submitted by David, Madison WI

A wonderful friend at work shared this and I thought it profound and worth sending out into my world. 

At first glance I answered 'yes', but then I started to think 'Am I as kind as I could be?' Granted we all have our days, I have days when it wouldn't matter if you were wrapped in $100 bills and said you'd fly me to Italy, I would still be a pill. 

Thankfully those days are getting fewer and farther between as I reach toward my maturity with more understanding and grace. Still...I have to say there are times, times when I'm not unkind,  I'm just sort of 'indifferent' and that is almost worse. And even sadder still, I'm indifferent to myself, which is reflected in how I treat others. You know the 'do unto others...' well if you can't be kind to yourself, how can you be truly kind to others? I don't mean the total self indulgent sort of 'kind', I mean true kindness where you recognize you're human, you make mistakes, but you don't bang on yourself FOREVER over it. You recognize your error, apologize where necessary (even to yourself) and try to move forward with more understanding, compassion and awareness.

So, with the posting of this thought, I'm going to try to be more aware of my attitudes - the good, the bad, the indifferent attitudes, to myself and others. It takes so little to make the world a kinder place and starting with myself is a good place to start.

5 comments:

  1. BRILLIANT~!
    Very good words for ME to live by.
    Loves!!! :o)

    p.s. The boy looks awesome by the way...

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  2. if we are talking about a dog or a cat, yep. lots of evidence, they would convict me and throw away the key.
    with people? not so much.
    (unless you are a little old person)

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  3. This is an excellent post! I've always thought of myself as kind, because I believe I should treat others as I want to be treated. My biggest thing is forgiveness. How can I ask for forgiveness, when I'm not willing to give it myself?

    With that said, I work with the public (I drive a city bus) and I've seen a lot of very discouraging things. I found myself becoming jaded towards some of my passengers. Granted, I see a lot of the bad side of people and not everyone is trying to play a scam, but it can get very tiring.

    I'm always being told what a nice driver I am, but at the end of the day, I question myself and find that I'm sorely lacking... sigh

    "... forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..." Definitely words I try to live by!

    Lotus
    lootsvele@yahoo.com

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  4. I'm glad you found this interesting.

    the boy is adorable, isn't he?! it's hard to remember he isn't even 1yr yet sometimes and he is SUCH a boy, galumphing through the house and making Teasle's life very interesting!!

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  5. good words to live by, thank you

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