For Those of Us Who Care About Kindness…

 

Clearly, the Democrats don’t care about kindness. Their goals are strictly to search and destroy. I don’t know if they even know what it means to be kind to each other; too often, we see them attacking those who don’t line up with their cause. Kindness is probably a sign of weakness and vulnerability to them. Kindness is also an attribute that we may be in danger of losing as well, as Conservatives, if we aren’t careful.

Recently I had a conversation with a Ricochetti about kindness. We have different views on the meaning of the word, and another Ricochetti suggested one or both of us explore “kindness” in a post. And why it is so precious and hard to find.

For most people I know, kindness is an acquired trait; it doesn’t seem to come naturally to them. To me, kindness shows up when we are willing to be gentle, empathic, or sympathetic, and fully present to another person.

Trying to be a kind person can be demanding for some of us. We are busy—offering kindness takes time, because it requires us to be fully engaged, putting other endeavors aside. It also often calls for us to be mostly a listener and not a talker. And for those of us who love to give advice, it means that we have to curb our judgment, at least in those moments, and not blast the other person with our dismay, outrage, and even confusion. Kindness requires us to put all of our most assertive behaviors aside in consideration of what the other person needs. We have to transcend the acrimony of the times and not let it take us down.

That brings up another aspect of kindness. Sometimes time limitations are not the only problem we have with being kind. We are just not motivated to help. But frankly, kindness expects us to be available, even when we don’t especially feel like it. Maybe we’re not crazy about the person. Maybe we don’t empathize with the person’s situation. Maybe we’re uncomfortable with their feelings about victimhood. But this particular person may be a dear friend, or an acquaintance we feel connected to, and we feel kindness nudging us to pay attention; it doesn’t care how we feel. Kindness relates to the other person and knows he or she needs a listening human being to be with them.

Kindness also expects us to be courageous; it requires us to make ourselves vulnerable at times, to relate to the other person’s situation (if we possibly can). It desires us to keep in mind the kindness that others have shown us when we’re struggling, confused, and hurt. Most of us at one point or another have interacted with people who have been kind to us, and we almost always remember them because they took the time to care. Kindness mends our souls and fills our hearts.

Kindness is a trait that often needs to be nurtured and practiced, especially when we don’t feel like being kind. We may much prefer to act annoyed, to discount the other persons or their states of mind. We might prefer to give them advice they haven’t asked for or are not interested in; that way we get to reinforce our belief in how smart we are and how helpless they are. If we wait until we feel like offering kindness, we may have a long wait. Kindness is a trait that may require us to go through the motions, to act kind, even when it’s not natural for us; over time, we will discover that kindness arises naturally through our demonstrating it repeatedly. The beauty of this effort is that we experience the joy of kindness along with the recipient.

Here’s the thing: kindness is needed more than ever in our world. We have an overabundance of people who are wounded or lost or simply struggling. Some of them are our friends. Some of them are our family members, or simply people we care about. They may not be willing to ask for help, but when we are with them, we sense their pain and misery.

Many years ago, I wrote a post about my returning to Judaism from Buddhism. (Yes, I’ve written many, but the specific post doesn’t matter here.) One of the people who commented on the post attacked me, essentially saying that I was arrogant, that I couldn’t make up my mind about what I wanted to do, and a few other negative comments. On reading his comment, my first reaction was to feel stunned. I couldn’t imagine that I had caused such an angry response to my writing. In fact, before I could even respond, several people addressed the commenter saying if he had issues, he should ask questions or pursue a dialogue. I surprised myself—I didn’t feel anger, because I sensed a deep hurt on his part—and I only felt compassion and curiosity. (Believe me when I say that I was surprised by my own reaction, that I didn’t act defensively!) I stated my perplexity at his response; that I was the last person to be arrogant about my religious journey and was still clarifying my faith for myself. I invited him to elaborate on his reaction and that I genuinely wanted to talk to him.

But I didn’t hear from him again.

I remember his name and I do think he’s been on Ricochet since then, and even commented on my posts, but I don’t know if he ever got a better sense of who I was by sticking around for a while.

But I felt comforted that at least I had responded to him with kindness. Whatever pain he was feeling, that was the least I could do.

In many situations, especially on this site, many of us react to posts and comments and current events with outrage and disbelief; this site is a great place to blow off steam.

But remember, no matter what people say or do, no matter the uproar and chaos we experience, we all can use a little kindness.

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There are 11 comments.

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  1. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    Kindness has some pre-requisite conditions.  

    People in survival mode who feel there material well-being threatened are less likely to share and care.  That applies to emotional well-being resources as well.

    People who define themselves solely by membership in a demanding, narrow ideology or movement will have a hard time accepting and recognizing the humanity and fundamental kinship of other human beings not part of the defining group.

    People who have denied themselves the balance and perspective provided by humility such that all encounters become zero-sum games about deference and advantage invariably become unkind.

    My great-great-uncle was left unconscious and presumed dead by his retreating colleagues after a mine attack on his company’s trench in WWI.  German soldiers carried him back to their lines where he was treated and soon returned to the Allied side.  I am told he was grateful but not all that surprised by what the enemy did for him.  That war had significant moments of grace, kindness, mutual respect and compassion between periods of horrific slaughter.  It is telling that similar moments are arguably less likely on college campuses or in Senate Judiciary Committee hearings than the trenches of WWI.

     

    • #1
  2. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Kindness is all around us, and even makes the news.  For example:

    https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/kentucky-police-officer-baby-restaurant

    • #2
  3. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    hat war had significant moments of grace, kindness, mutual respect and compassion between periods of horrific slaughter. It is telling that similar moments are arguably less likely on college campuses or in Senate Judiciary Committee hearings than the trenches of WWI.

    An important point, @oldbathos. The acts of humanity during WWI were quite amazing. Was it WWI or II where the soldiers on both sides at Christmas time called their own truce for that time? Of course, they were ordered to commence fighting when those in charge realized what they done; that also calls to mind our current situation.

    • #3
  4. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Stad (View Comment):

    Kindness is all around us, and even makes the news. For example:

    https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/kentucky-police-officer-baby-restaurant

    What a wonderful example of a spontaneous act of kindness! Thanks, @stad.

    • #4
  5. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    I don’t think kindness has been drained entirely from the Democrats, but it is being wrung out from the public eye – for exactly the reasons you describe. Public calls for conciliatory measures are a big risk among communists. The question is whether there is a point at which the more passive, agreeable members will have enough of it.

    This is why I think the Right would be wise to recognize the opportunity available. When has the Right ever been in a better position to be the nicer, more pleasant, option? (Keep in mind, I mean that from the point of view of fence sitters or the politically lethargic.)

    • #5
  6. GrannyDude Member
    GrannyDude
    @GrannyDude

    Stad (View Comment):

    Kindness is all around us, and even makes the news. For example:

    https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/kentucky-police-officer-baby-restaurant

    Big smile, Stad! 

    • #6
  7. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Isn’t kindness the antithesis of diversity?

    • #7
  8. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    hat war had significant moments of grace, kindness, mutual respect and compassion between periods of horrific slaughter. It is telling that similar moments are arguably less likely on college campuses or in Senate Judiciary Committee hearings than the trenches of WWI.

    An important point, @oldbathos. The acts of humanity during WWI were quite amazing. Was it WWI or II where the soldiers on both sides at Christmas time called their own truce for that time? Of course, they were ordered to commence fighting when those in charge realized what they done; that also calls to mind our current situation.

    World War I, and only during the first Christmas, 1914.

    • #8
  9. Annefy Member
    Annefy
    @Annefy

    GrannyDude (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Kindness is all around us, and even makes the news. For example:

    https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/kentucky-police-officer-baby-restaurant

    Big smile, Stad!

    I recently helped a fellow granny through security at LAX and again at arrival at Phoenix airport. I admired her courage; a two month old, a stroller, enough stuff to get through any catastrophe, her own purse and phone. I made friends with her in line; when we got to security we traded the baby back and forth while we got scanned, then put on our belts, shoes, etc.

    I sat with her waiting for our flight and even answered her phone for her when her daughter ( baby’s mommy) called for the fourth time to make sure the baby was okay. We sat together on the plane but much to my disappointment the baby never made a peep.

    My granddaughters were a little offended and confused when they met me holding the baby.

    It was NOT an act of kindness in the least, and I let the granny know that.

    I got to hold a baby. Selfishness on my part straight up.

    (I do have some thoughts on kindness – I’ll try to get something coherent written later)

     

    • #9
  10. She Member
    She
    @She

    At the risk of referencing (oh, the horror!) a recent Disney movie and the advice that Cinderella’s mother gives her just before she dies, “Have courage and be kind:”

    I think it often takes much more courage to go against what may seem to be the grain, or the conventional wisdom, and to be kind and loving, rather than to take what may be the easy way out and be truculent, false, and mean.

    It would be nice if the “conventional wisdom” were always on the side of kindness.  But, sometimes it isn’t. (Something to do with “And, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,” or similar, perhaps.  Yay, Rudyard Kipling.  One of my favorites.)

    And, in that situation,  the choice is a personal one, and up to us as individuals.

    Ultimately, we have to live with the results of that choice.  I can only hope that others will treat me with kindness.  And, whether they do or not, that I can muster the guts to respond in a way that I can live with.

    • #10
  11. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    Kindness is 

    Not saying anything when saying something would cause another embarrassment.

    Saying something when being silent would cause Another embarrassment.

    Quietly Letting go of the foibles and offenses of others. 

    Acting in a way that considers others, and giving them the benefit of the doubt, whenever possible. 

    Thanks for the post @susanquinn

    I have always perceived you as a kind person.

    • #11
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