Kindness First and Foremost

Something has really got under my skin particularly in the last year and that is how ready people are to cast the first stone. In modern lingo that might be passing judgement without full understanding, gossiping without consideration of the impact of our actions, naming and shaming on social media when we seldom know the full facts or even if the source was reliable in the first place, criticising others particularly in terms of covid regs without seeing the bigger picture, criticising generally because it doesn’t align with our perspective which we assume is the only ‘right’ one etc.

But how often do we stop and think about the deeper affect of our own actions when we do this? How often do we consider the impact on the victim of our belittling and judgement. How often do we actually reflect on our own consciousness and consider that we are all flawed in some way?

I just wonder because in a world where we also share and retweet memes about kindness because those memes inspire us to be better, how often do we challenge ourselves first to step up to the mark? Kindness isn’t limited to acts for those we love but also those we don’t!

Kindness

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Does the World Owe You Anything?

Every Day is Made More Special

Mother (A Haiku)

Human Values

Gratitude

Are we grateful for what we’ve been given right now
For the excellence that lies all about
Are we focussed on good and not upon bad
Are we willing to sing and to shout
About even the tiniest littlest thing
That brings fortune and favour our way
Be it the sun in the sky or the birds on the wing
Or the wonder that’s filling today

Be it a stranger’s kind word or a hug from a friend
A meal on the table at night
A song or a dance, a smile or a glance
Whatever brings in joy and delight
Be it a nudge in our thoughts that brings in relief
For even a second or less
To refresh and renew everything that we do
With gratitude and heart filled thankfulness

For to dwell on these things that may not seem big
Or even seem what we are owed
Is to lift up our spirit, to freshen our souls
With appreciation and love thus bestowed
And thus we go hence right into this day
With joy in our mind and not dread
With blessing abundant at the fore of our thoughts
With a glow and lighter step in our tread.

Perception

A Thousand Candles Shining Bright

Let us stand and let’s defeat them
Let their terror never win
Let their thoughts be ever vanquished
Let only love creep in

Let our minds be fully focused
On a world in harmony
Filled with joy, kindness, compassion
Where hope burns eternally

Let us represent all goodness
Let us break the code of hate
Let us unite through diversity
A new world then create

Where London Bridge is burning
With a thousand candles shining bright
Dispelling darkness from our streets always
Each and every day and night

Kindness

Mirroring a pure heart
That uplifts and encourages
With patience and inclusivity
Not stripping down another to smooch with self
Reflective and enduring
Each and every day

Enemy!

Have you ever stopped an wondered if
Your enemy became your friend
How much your worlds could then be healed
How much you’d make amends
For all the times of hatred
And all the times of pain
A joining of two forces
Where each could then refrain
From a world intent on bitterness
Anger, reprisal, doubt
And where compassion and kindness
Would prise the goodness out!