What Is Your Intention for Your Kindness Journey
“I’ve found that 20 percent of any change is knowing how,
but 80 percent is knowing why.”
Tony Robbins
Larry and I talked a lot this week about our intention for our life together and for our Kindness work. We realized that our big “Why” is to help create the world we envision - a world in which people are kind to one another and live with love and acceptance.
What is Your Intention for Your Life?
We envision a world in which people live together peacefully, with love and kindness. Our intention is to live our daily lives being mindful of opportunities to bring that vision to life with our thoughts and words and actions.
We remember a time when we had a bluebird nest box on a pole in our backyard. With a high-powered camera lens, we could see the activity up close. We delighted at watching the progress as the pair brought twigs and other materials to build a nest in the box, and then, as the male brought food to the female as she sat on the eggs in the nest. Soon, came the flurry of activity once the babies were hatched, as both parents flew out to find food for their young ones.
We really appreciated our up-close view when the young ones were feeling the urge to fly. They took turns standing just inside the opening of the box and spreading their wings as if they were about to fly. Then, they would back up as if saying, “I don’t feel ready yet.”
Of course, the birds had no such thoughts. They were simply following the natural calling in them to take the next step for their lives. Soon, they had fledged, and we had the joy of witnessing that victory of nature.
That memory brought us to the question: What is our natural calling?
We feel called to bring love and joy into the world as an antidote to the hate and fear that is so prevalent around us today. Our intention to live with kindness arose from that deep calling.
Our Attention Supports Our Intention
How do we live in harmony with our intention?
We start by paying attention to our responses to everything and everyone who crosses our path today. Then, we can see what we can do to expand our capacity for kindness.
We all have blocks within us that limit our ability to be kind in some situations. We are human, and we have habitual behaviors that come naturally in certain circumstances. Paying attention as we go through our day will help us to notice opportunities to break out of those patterns.
If we notice that we usually ignore certain people, for instance, we may decide to acknowledge them the next time we see them. That may require letting go of our resistance to them, based on some preconceived ideas about who they are.
Taking a few minutes every evening would provide you an opportunity to write down any encounters from the day and to consider if you are able to make a shift to a kinder response the next time you meet. It would also enable you to acknowledge yourself for meetings in which you rose above old behaviors and reached out with kindness. You might want to record how that felt, as you expressed kindness in a new way.
Walking a kindness path is different for each of us. We each get to walk it in our own way. Be kind to yourself on the journey. There are no rules, just opportunities to which you can respond or not. Either way, you’re already adding kindness to a world that needs it.
Whether your intention is to have a more fulfilling life or just to have more fun on the journey, you are making a difference in the world.
We wish you joy and peace every day.
Image by Terri Zakraysek from Pixabay
I grew up when and where the Golden Rule was emphasized. I was to treat others as I wanted to be treated. Later in adult life, two themes became apparent . First, civilization flourished with cooperation within small groups or tribes. No one could make it by themselves. To cooperate, the common good surpassed individual wants and preferences . Embedded in cooperation is kindness, empathy and compassion. Secondly, I personally feel better when I am kind rather than being selfish or prickly. And the people I respect the most are those who by philosophy and action demonstrate kindness and compassion. Kindness is an embedded value in their lives.
What we need is enormous self reflection of our values and rigorous determination of what is best for everyone . As we look around in our country, we can see that hate and animosity and disrespect destroy our sense of trust and safety. Can kindness prevail??
Thank you for the important work you are doing.
Thank you, Barb for this thoughtful comment.I agree completely. In order to flourish we need to commit to lives of kindness.
I do believe that kindness can prevail if we all do some self-reflection and consider what we can do to contribute to a transition to a community in which everyone matters.
Love and kindness truly is an antidote to hate and fear. When we embtrace a life of kindness, we empower ourselves to be part of the solution.
Ohhh, Pat and Larry – thank you for this post. It’s so lovely and timely in our world. I just came back from Sweden where I practiced the stepping into of “Everyone I meet is kind and helpful in some way” belief. And, yes – so many beautiful people showed me kindness as I navigate my way in their country. So blessed.
Looking forward to sharing more in the future.
Thank you both for sharing your wonderful hearts!
Thank you Drue. I appreciate the “Everyone I meet is kind” belief. That really does open us to receive kindness.
We are delighted that you are in our community. We, also, look forward to more sharing of ideas.