Tag Archives: #kindness

Spirituality

Trend Spotting

The disco era brought in a line of fashion that didn’t stick around. Man, I’m glad of that! But some things never go out of style. Let’s look at a few of them.

We can begin with manners. Saying please, thank you, yes sir and no sir, we notice when someone says them. And we notice when they don’t.

Kindness is always welcome. This world can be cruel. Our simple kindness might be someone’s last, best hope. The person you are standing in line with at the grocery store might be doing all they can to hold it together.

There is a trend of young people returning to their faith life. Everyone has a hole in their heart that needs to be filled. People try everything from sex to gambling to fill the void. Seventeenth century philosopher Blaise Pascal called it a “God-shaped vacuum.” The young are figuring it out earlier than most.

Some trends burn out quickly. The important trends are the ones that remain…

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Spirituality

Outdated

Foods have an expiration date. Software needs updates. And one day we will experience our last heartbeat. But there are some things that never go bad.

Manners are always in style. So is kindness, being thoughtful, and we must include doing what’s right even when the crowd is against you. Standing up for the weak is a good thing.

Scripture hasn’t lost its relevance and truthfulness, no matter what the New Age “gurus” say. Everything from our health to our finances is covered. You gotta read it and apply it, though. Otherwise it’s just another book gathering dust on your bookshelf.

Modern technology has given us some helpful shortcuts to get us where we want to go. Artificial Intelligence is in its infancy, but will soon lead us to new ways to battle disease. And when that happens, say thank you. Being thankful never goes out of style, either…

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Spirituality

The Danger of Optimism

It is through the lens of optimism that I see the world. My thoughts default to what’s possible, not what is. Sometimes this is a dangerous way to see things.

My mind is hardwired to see the good in every situation. This includes people. Seeing the good in others can be a blind spot for me. They might be setting my home on fire but I still see the positives in them. Do you see what I’m talking about?

In today’s society we have a political divide that is getting wider. The optimist in me believes we can re-establish the middle ground where people discuss their differences but part as friends. No damage done. So far I have been disappointed, but I refuse to give up. Optimists can be stubborn, too. Another danger.

We see the thread of goodness that lives in the heart of man when tragedy strikes. In my most optimistic opinion, we don’t need to wait for all hell to break loose to show kindness and compassion.

We can begin today. And by today I mean right now…

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Spirituality

A Gentle Reminder

I have spent the first three days of this week speaking in prisons. This is some of the volunteer work I do, and it’s very fulfilling.

This week has been all about the inmates. Most are living with pain they keep inside, in the dark places. Sometimes they will start talking about their struggles. Opening up about painful memories is the first step toward healing. I’m always encouraged when this happens.

Today’s message is a gentle reminder to be kind to everyone. We don’t know what lies beneath the surface. And while you’re being kind to others, be kind to yourself as well…

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Spirituality

Neighborly

Have you ever had a bad experience with a neighbor? I have. Only one, but he was a rude, selfish ass. And the thing is, you are stuck with them until one of you moves.

In the workplace we have neighbors. My office has around 20 people in it. We may only casually know our coworkers, but we can make a difference in their lives. We simply need to be aware of what’s going on around us and offer support if appropriate. Even casual acquaintances need to know we care.

People are struggling. Most people put on a brave face for the world, but they might feel empty inside. Show patience and kindness when you can. Even if you are in a hurry. Your simple smile might be what someone needs in the moment.

We are never too busy to show kindness…

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Spirituality

Invisible

When I was a little kid, I thought it would be cool to be invisible. My plan was to sneak up on people and surprise them when I became visible. Playing pranks has always been part of my life!

Recently I read where an average person will see around 80,000 people during their lifetime. But how many do we remember? More importantly, what set them apart to cause us to remember them? I believe I have one answer.

How we treat others goes a long way toward being remembered. How you looked to them might fade, but not how your kindness made a difference. You made them feel seen. Making others feel important while lessening your importance is an act of humility.

In a world so full of divisiveness, be kind. Kindness will make you visible, not just another person…

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Spirituality

The Lens of Compassion

Empathy or compassion. Which is it?

Empathy is shared experience, while compassion is showing you care but can’t relate because you haven’t had the same experience. For example, I know many people who have lost children. That’s a level of pain that I have not experienced. Yet, I feel for them because I know they are hurting. I don’t know how they feel, though.

When I see illegal members of a violent gang being deported, I always wonder what happened to them to cause them to go down the road of evil. I truly wish things had turned out different for them.

Lead your life with care and compassion for others. We are all in this life together…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Car Wash

Many gas stations have automatic car washes available for a fee after you fill your tank. Recently, I used one and the similarity between the car wash and people struck me. The car may be clean on the outside, but inside it’s still dirty. It needs some attention on the interior.

Some people look great when you meet them. But as you get to know them you begin to see a different person emerge. Arrogance, insecurity, even cruelty are hidden beneath the surface. Suddenly their outer beauty melts away and you see them in a whole new way.

Jesus spoke of this when he called out some of the Pharisees. He criticized them for being “clean on the outside but unclean on the inside.” Jesus can see straight through to the heart of mankind. It takes us a little longer!

I encourage you to look beneath the surface. Look at the heart. It’s revealed by our actions.

A kind heart is a special kind of beauty…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Chain Reactions

In a paper titled, “My Ethics. My Codes of Life,” Rachel Joy Scott wrote the following: “Compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer. I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, it would start a chain reaction of the same. You never know how far a little kindness can go.”

Rachel was the first person killed at Columbine High School in 1999. Since her death, her story has been starting chain reactions of kindness and compassion worldwide. In fact, she’s started over 30 million of them.

Around the same time, the two shooters talked about a different kind of chain reaction, one of violence and murder. It’s shocking when you consider the contrast, especially since they were interrelated.

Our actions have consequences. What we put out into the world comes back to us. Always.

I encourage you to start your own chain reaction of kindness and compassion. Your fellow man desperately needs it…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Painful Experiences

Over the past four days I have been speaking in Texas prisons, both men and women’s. My subject matter is my own life story of physical and emotional abuse, and how I healed from my painful past. My story is relatable to many of the prisoners.

The inmates openly shared some of their life stories. I must tell you, most of them are not pretty. Some of the things that people do to other people are pathetic.

There is a lot of pain in this world we inhabit. People are doing everything they can to hold it together. So here’s a reminder: be kind to everyone. We don’t know what lies beneath the surface…

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