It’s the flip side of cruelty and hate, an act or way of being that can exude confidence and illuminate optimism. Showing kindness offers a bracing contrast to those who are always hitting back or punching down, grimly convinced that to do otherwise is an expression of weakness.
I prefer a world where decency warmth consideration are considered good things. I believe each of us have a responsibility to make things better -to build things up -to build people up -to build society up – we need to rid ourselves & our government of people who just do the tearing down. Happy healthy rewarding creative NEW YEAR to ALL💙🦋🌵
Perfect message. Worth repeating (as all yours are). But this one, especially now. Happy New Year, Steven, to one who lives this message! I read it in everything you write. Your own kindness is a gift. Thank you for re-sharing. May it be read and heeded, far and wide!
I agree with Hazel. This was a wonderful piece. And I shared it on my FB page.
Reading Steve Schmidt's "11 predictions for 2023" it doesn't look good. He states that 2023 is going to get worse before things get better. When one reads about the infighting in the House for speakership and consider the character of the people involved one cannot help but think Mr. Schmidt is right in his prediction. But, throughout, and interwoven in all this is who we are as a country.
America has long been considered a generous and benevolent society. Despite the looming incivility this doesn't have to change. And also consider that face to face much of this evaporates. On an individual level we are almost always eager to help out someone in need. Or act as simply as holding a door open for someone behind us. These are little acts of kindness and our better angels. And it's up to We the People to send such a message to our elected officials that instead of the harsh bullying personalities that dominate the news this is who we really are.
Thank you for your much needed post. Sometimes the intentional cruelty that is supposed to pass as toughness seems overwhelming. Let's hope we all do what we can to make 2023 a kinder, more thoughtful year.
Great looking dog. Phenomenal photo - the light was just right.
Thank you for all you do. You give me hope and a touch of civility when someone ‘on the other side’ says something stupid. I have to stop and think - Well I do stupid things also and I don’t want people to condemn me on my current beliefs.
Someone said “It’s hard being an American.” Even with all out 20 kinds of cereal and 40 kinds of cars ….and fears we won’t make it to the next check.
It may be hard, but it’s certainly worth it. Again, thanks for giving us a dose of hope. We will come through this and hopefully prove, if those Americans - and in my case, Texan - can make it, so can we. And yes I pray for Cruz and Abbott every day 😌
Thank you, again, for an inspiring message. We are about to enter the political version of the Valley of the Shadow of Death in 2023. For my part, I will attempt to stay strong and praise all those who bring light over darkness. Happy New Year to all!
Dogs are wonderful "people." If you are gone five minutes, they welcome you back with wagging tails and happy dances. Their feelings can be quite human. My Sheltie , after 4 years of being No. 1, was hurt when my son was born, and he no longer sat in the middle of the front seat of the car or got to play ball every day. But love ruled regardless. If son was in a little seat sitting on the floor, Skipper would sit in front of him, guarding him, but always with his back toward him, goodness and jealousy at work. As time went on, they were pals, and the dog would lie just outside the bedroom door guarding while a nap was in progress.
Although this column mainly concerns political entity, kindness is mostly recognized on a personal basis. I have a few to relate.
My mother always had a package of Lebanon Bologna and a big bottle of coke in the refrigerator for me when I visited. She liked neither. She would get up early in the morning and cook, bake just in case somebody would stop by during the day. She was a kind woman and struck up conversations with everybody, known or not.
INCO transferred my then husband from WVA to NYC for a year, and I had to take a hiatus from my masters . The head of the history department at Marshall lent me 15 of his own books to keep me on track, and when I returned, let me keep my favorite one.
Not ready to sit on the front porch in a rocking chair and crochet, I have a part time job in a grocery store. A customer came thru the line with a beautiful dozen of red roses. I usually kid men buying bouquets saying they are either in love or guilty. Before i could say anything to this young man, he paid for the roses, then handed them to me. These are for you, he said. How beautiful to be recognized for the physical work required working in such a store when so many pass on and hardly look at you.
I hit a curb while driving, bent the hubcap, low air pressure light came on, so off to the car dealership. There were 3 other people in the waiting room who had a fit and spoke up when service man told me I really needed all 4 tires replaced as dry rot was setting in, and for that I would have the privilege of paying $1,240 + $283 for a new hub cap. One man said are you kidding? All spoke up and urged me to check around and that Walmart had the best prices for same tires. After that, instead of sitting there silent like bumps on a log, conversations ensued. We found common ground. One man also had a grandson , 11, who plays flag football like mine. A woman turned out to be a former mechanic in the army-she could have been Cousin Vinny's girlfriend witness in the movie. But they were all upset for me. So, one man reached over with $100 bill, insisting I take it. I refused 4 times. Finally, he just put it in my open pocketbook and said he would never miss it. How kind is that?
Politically, Joe Biden is a kind man with a desire to help ALL Americans and has . (although what he says he learned from father and taught to his sons, didn't take hold in one of them) I think of the kindness of Eleanor Roosevelt and her good works, her support of Marian Anderson, her defense of human rights.Woodrow Wilson sided with women voting , children allowed to be children, the economic betterment of citizens, peace in the world.John McCain's refusal to be released early from VietNam captors and his defense of President Obama.
Perhaps the most abhorrent act of 2022 was the cowardice shown in Uvalde, Texas.Good people can have bad traits. Wilson was racist. Truman saved 100,000 American soldiers' lives while 200,000 Japanese, mostly civilians, died. General Patton was beloved by his troops but slapped in the face, a frightened hospitalized soldier.
We have integrity and duplicity. We are human. And not so different from Skipper.
Kindness to one’s political enemies especially is a show of strength. (Not to be confused with surrender. One can both hold the line and show kindness.)
Kindness also shows the capacity of one to understand other’s needs as well as their own. Isn’t that what we want in our elected officials?
When you’re taking a walk and pass a stranger how difficult is it to smile and nod your head? If you’re very brave saying “good morning/afternoon “ is going one step farther to helping create a positive community vibe.
Kindness is a Show of Strength (redux)
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Let’s make 2023 kinder and better. ✌️
I prefer a world where decency warmth consideration are considered good things. I believe each of us have a responsibility to make things better -to build things up -to build people up -to build society up – we need to rid ourselves & our government of people who just do the tearing down. Happy healthy rewarding creative NEW YEAR to ALL💙🦋🌵
Perfect message. Worth repeating (as all yours are). But this one, especially now. Happy New Year, Steven, to one who lives this message! I read it in everything you write. Your own kindness is a gift. Thank you for re-sharing. May it be read and heeded, far and wide!
I agree with Hazel. This was a wonderful piece. And I shared it on my FB page.
Reading Steve Schmidt's "11 predictions for 2023" it doesn't look good. He states that 2023 is going to get worse before things get better. When one reads about the infighting in the House for speakership and consider the character of the people involved one cannot help but think Mr. Schmidt is right in his prediction. But, throughout, and interwoven in all this is who we are as a country.
America has long been considered a generous and benevolent society. Despite the looming incivility this doesn't have to change. And also consider that face to face much of this evaporates. On an individual level we are almost always eager to help out someone in need. Or act as simply as holding a door open for someone behind us. These are little acts of kindness and our better angels. And it's up to We the People to send such a message to our elected officials that instead of the harsh bullying personalities that dominate the news this is who we really are.
Happy New Year everyone!
Thank you for your much needed post. Sometimes the intentional cruelty that is supposed to pass as toughness seems overwhelming. Let's hope we all do what we can to make 2023 a kinder, more thoughtful year.
Great looking dog. Phenomenal photo - the light was just right.
Thank you for all you do. You give me hope and a touch of civility when someone ‘on the other side’ says something stupid. I have to stop and think - Well I do stupid things also and I don’t want people to condemn me on my current beliefs.
Someone said “It’s hard being an American.” Even with all out 20 kinds of cereal and 40 kinds of cars ….and fears we won’t make it to the next check.
It may be hard, but it’s certainly worth it. Again, thanks for giving us a dose of hope. We will come through this and hopefully prove, if those Americans - and in my case, Texan - can make it, so can we. And yes I pray for Cruz and Abbott every day 😌
Thank you, again, for an inspiring message. We are about to enter the political version of the Valley of the Shadow of Death in 2023. For my part, I will attempt to stay strong and praise all those who bring light over darkness. Happy New Year to all!
I don’t trust people who don’t like animals. Plain and simple.
Dogs are wonderful "people." If you are gone five minutes, they welcome you back with wagging tails and happy dances. Their feelings can be quite human. My Sheltie , after 4 years of being No. 1, was hurt when my son was born, and he no longer sat in the middle of the front seat of the car or got to play ball every day. But love ruled regardless. If son was in a little seat sitting on the floor, Skipper would sit in front of him, guarding him, but always with his back toward him, goodness and jealousy at work. As time went on, they were pals, and the dog would lie just outside the bedroom door guarding while a nap was in progress.
Although this column mainly concerns political entity, kindness is mostly recognized on a personal basis. I have a few to relate.
My mother always had a package of Lebanon Bologna and a big bottle of coke in the refrigerator for me when I visited. She liked neither. She would get up early in the morning and cook, bake just in case somebody would stop by during the day. She was a kind woman and struck up conversations with everybody, known or not.
INCO transferred my then husband from WVA to NYC for a year, and I had to take a hiatus from my masters . The head of the history department at Marshall lent me 15 of his own books to keep me on track, and when I returned, let me keep my favorite one.
Not ready to sit on the front porch in a rocking chair and crochet, I have a part time job in a grocery store. A customer came thru the line with a beautiful dozen of red roses. I usually kid men buying bouquets saying they are either in love or guilty. Before i could say anything to this young man, he paid for the roses, then handed them to me. These are for you, he said. How beautiful to be recognized for the physical work required working in such a store when so many pass on and hardly look at you.
I hit a curb while driving, bent the hubcap, low air pressure light came on, so off to the car dealership. There were 3 other people in the waiting room who had a fit and spoke up when service man told me I really needed all 4 tires replaced as dry rot was setting in, and for that I would have the privilege of paying $1,240 + $283 for a new hub cap. One man said are you kidding? All spoke up and urged me to check around and that Walmart had the best prices for same tires. After that, instead of sitting there silent like bumps on a log, conversations ensued. We found common ground. One man also had a grandson , 11, who plays flag football like mine. A woman turned out to be a former mechanic in the army-she could have been Cousin Vinny's girlfriend witness in the movie. But they were all upset for me. So, one man reached over with $100 bill, insisting I take it. I refused 4 times. Finally, he just put it in my open pocketbook and said he would never miss it. How kind is that?
Politically, Joe Biden is a kind man with a desire to help ALL Americans and has . (although what he says he learned from father and taught to his sons, didn't take hold in one of them) I think of the kindness of Eleanor Roosevelt and her good works, her support of Marian Anderson, her defense of human rights.Woodrow Wilson sided with women voting , children allowed to be children, the economic betterment of citizens, peace in the world.John McCain's refusal to be released early from VietNam captors and his defense of President Obama.
Perhaps the most abhorrent act of 2022 was the cowardice shown in Uvalde, Texas.Good people can have bad traits. Wilson was racist. Truman saved 100,000 American soldiers' lives while 200,000 Japanese, mostly civilians, died. General Patton was beloved by his troops but slapped in the face, a frightened hospitalized soldier.
We have integrity and duplicity. We are human. And not so different from Skipper.
Kindness to one’s political enemies especially is a show of strength. (Not to be confused with surrender. One can both hold the line and show kindness.)
I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t love dogs!! They all have a grim facial look of unhappiness to them.
A beautiful post that is making this grown man well up with tears.
Here is to decency in 2023 🥂.
Great post. Hoping for more kindness in 2023. Happy New Year
Lovely posting . Dogs ( or any pet ) are the best . Their love is unconditional and there is never any malice or deceit . Preferable to some people !
Kindness also shows the capacity of one to understand other’s needs as well as their own. Isn’t that what we want in our elected officials?
When you’re taking a walk and pass a stranger how difficult is it to smile and nod your head? If you’re very brave saying “good morning/afternoon “ is going one step farther to helping create a positive community vibe.
BTW Hazel is a cutie. So envious.