Radical Kindness

My religion is very simple — my religion is kindness. Dalai Lama

I’m often given the opportunity to extend the radical kindness which transcends differing beliefs to those whose world view is different from my own. That certainly doesn’t mean having a blind acceptance to that which is odious. It simply means that, even in the midst of disagreements, my responses can recognize the Light within them, no matter how dim it may seem.

I have to be charged up. I have to take the time daily to meditate and to chat with my Posse. They remind me often, even though I sometimes only hear the message in retrospect. I’m challenged to “say what I mean, and mean what I say, not said in a mean way”, as my friends in a 12-step community advise. 

I can challenge something which I see as wrong in a way that recognizes the Divine within the person or group that espouses a belief far from my own. It’s there. I can do it with respect, if I slow down, take a deep breath, and remember that we’re all in this together.

I’m writing to myself here. I’m trying to remind myself of the values I want to embody. It’s so hard, not just sometimes, but daily. I see injustice on a major scale, and tighten up inside. Self-care insists that I look away for a moment, to find the beauty and fun which is more obvious. I satisfy my inner Kali by taking appropriate action within my limitations. 

Radical Kindness is kindness found in hard times. It is taking care of myself and my needs responsibly. It is recognizing that others may not agree with me, but that is their right. I can speak my truth with conviction, holding fast to my heart-centered beliefs. It’s not the first response necessarily, but I have the choice to give in to anger or to elevate my vibrations.

Radical Kindness begins with how I treat myself, how I talk to myself, how I honor myself. From that base, it is my sincere hope that I can extend an olive branch whenever possible, or walk away without self-harm when I can’t.

May I remember today to be kind to all beings., and may all beings know kindness themselves.