A while back I wrote a post prompted by Earl Dizon on the difference between niceness and kindness. I gave this a lot of thought because it seemed that the general consensus of opinion was that niceness seemed to lack authentic feeling.
One of the conclusions I came to after doing all this reading and thinking is that kindness is niceness on steroids. It springs from the same well and is activated by need in a time of suffering. I don’t agree with the idea of being nice as being shallow. I am thinking of kindness as a muscle. By daily reputations of niceness, you will build that muscle. So, when you are called upon to act, your kindness muscles are very strong with the muscle memory of being worked daily by niceness reps and do not tire from acting with kindness.
I still agree with the above conclusion. Over the weekend I happened upon a seven week kindness challenge.
This challenge started this week and is run by Nikki at The Richness of a Simple Life, http://therichnessofasimplelife.wordpress.com.
In this political year when there seems to be so much unkindness in the world wide web I thought this was just the thing to strengthen my kindness muscle to remind me not just to pay the NICE lip service to differences but to be truly KIND to people who do not share my political point of view.
Wishing you many opportunities to exercise your kindness muscle,
A beautiful post, Bernadotte! I loved your phrase ‘nice on steroids’! Whilst there was is so much harshness in the world, shown on TV etc I’m heartened by the warmth and kindness of ordinary people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lately, it’s taking everything we’ve got to be kind (in our thoughts) to people who don’t share our political views. I guess it’s just as important to find a way to disagree with them in the kindest way possible!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can’t help but feel that by slinging all the mud and all the name calling, we, as a people, are getting further and further away from our democratic ideals and that frightens me more than the ascendency to office of anyone whose opinions I may find repugnant. Because as long as we vote at the ballot box we can vote someone out office but when we start voting with our fists we will be stuck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does feel as if we can use many reps for the exercise. Thanks for shining a light brightly on an action instead of simply moaning about the state we are in. I appreciate it, Bernadette!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like the idea that kindness is a muscle that grows and gets stronger the more it is used. I don’t think anyone’s “kindness muscle” can ever be too big. May we all continue to cultivate this muscle and watch it grow.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope and pray that kindness will win out in the end, but I don’t have much hope for politics at this point.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are a deep thinker, Bernadette! I love your posts! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kindness… the kindness of friends and family has kept me going for the last 8 months… so kindness, I’m all about that too… exercise your kindness muscle- you bet!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kindness is surely contagious! Lovely Bernadette!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Bernadette, and what a clever metaphor. Have a great week building those compassion muscles 🙂
LikeLike
Yes and Yes again. I remember reading once that when asked what was most important, the Dalai Lama replied: “Kindness.” Thank you. 📮
LikeLike