be kind

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”

                                                    Plato

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I managed to do it, somehow

In fighting for kindness, I became unkind

and in the end

nothing good happened

I acted like a jerk

and relationships were broken

and we need our relationships

we need each other

these are going to be difficult times

but this all brought home to me

how often intensity, and passion

even when that intensity and passion needed

and even when the cause is good

can cause us to stop being kind to one another

and sometimes

even cruel

I think of the pro-life movement

I get wanting to save babies

But I don’t get throwing living children

And the environment

Under the bus in the process

I think of my passion for taking care of the vulnerable

And about how

at times

perhaps often

I am unkind to others when talking about that issues

About the times my desire for kindness and generosity

Make me unkind and ungenerous

I keep thinking of the quote attribute to Henry James:

“Three things in human life are important:

the first is to be kind;

the second is to be kind;

and the third is to be kind”

for while it is important stand up for what is right

and it is necessary, at times, to enter into those

tough conversation

and while there may be room for debate,

challenge

even confrontation

there is also a need

a deep seated, profound need

for kindness

for when we are not kind

even though we may have the best of intentions

damage is done

the fabric of community is torn

relationships are destroyed

and sometimes

in the name of good

we become cruel

today I resolve

to be kind

to listen well

to answer softly

to seek understanding

and to act gently and with grace

there is enough cruelty in this world

we need a little kindness