What Would it be Like to Live in a Place Where There is a Sense of Kindness?

What Would it be Like to Live in a Place Where There is a Sense of Kindness?

 

We are living in a moment where change is happening in front of us rapidly. There is a movement to stop racism, establish equality for all, to end violence by the police, the military, and community. And we are living in a pandemic that has taken many lives and has caused suffering to the population at large. The national political atmosphere has created nothing less than danger to us all. There has been denial and negligence towards the pandemic. The reaction by the federal government to the protestors who are marching for change in how society is being policed has been nothing short of fascism. There are many who are desperately in dire straits financially because of the pandemic. And they are being ignored by the federal government.

Our society is escalating by the minute.

We are frightened, panicked, angry, and we grieve.

We all want, need, and are calling out from our hearts and souls, for change: to make space in our society for everyone to have the right and opportunity to live full lives, with purpose, clarity, and to feel accepted and loved. To not live in fear. To feel they belong. Regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or who one is partnered to.

In our emotions, desires, needs, we get worked up inside. We react in frustration or anger. This comes out in attacks even towards the people that are wanting what we want and needing what we need.

I feel a sadness when I read a post or letter that attacks people in office that are trying to resolve the police situation and the writer doesn’t agree with the approach. I get a sinking feeling in my stomach when I read an article or leaflet from someone running for office who is putting down the opponent who is running against them. And I don’t see much that distinguishes one from the other.

All this negative energy isn’t doing anyone any good. It just adds to the anxiety we are all feeling from this volatile and intense time we are living in.

What if we approach each other with kindness? If we don’t agree can’t we initiate a conversation, even a debate, with compassion? If we can hear where the other person is coming from, what their intent is, and then express our feelings and needs, we can be in a position to compromise, maybe even meet the needs of everyone.

If we the people, started to dialogue like this, and expect our elected officials to behave this way and speak this way, maybe we can create a society where no one lives in fear, and we all see and feel the beauty in everyone around us?