Everybody has a story. Even what looks like the simplest life is full of stories. No one else EVER knows the fullness of another’s life. It is impossible. Why? Because a life must be lived in order to be known. And no one else lives a life other than their own.
Some want to tell their story in great detail. Others hide their story. Some let out only certain pieces and parts. Stories are funny, heart-wrenching, sad, mysterious, powerful, intimate, joyful, troubled, embarrassing.
People feel all sorts of ways about their stories…ashamed, excited, proud, humble, unimportant, ambivalent. They feel wrecked and devasted by the hard stuff. Over-the-moon joyful about the triumphs. Satisfied and at ease, anxious and worried, resentful and angry. They have regrets and see missed opportunities. They realize their great fortune or misfortune.
Lives are complex. All lives. It leads me to this: be kind. It seems like such a little thing, but it’s not. Be kind. As often as possible, toward as many as possible. The root of kindness is respect and genuine caring. It is accepting, rather than judging harshly.
How can we be kind in difficult situations and with difficult people? First, pause to consider that everyone has a story that we don’t know. Second, realize what matters most is what you feel in your heart. Kindness happens first in your heart. So, practice feeling kindness from the inside. Practice softening your heart even toward those who are difficult, demanding, and rude. From there, you will know the best action to take.
Practicing.
Paula
