I think we have forgotten what it means to be kind, regardless of politics, social standing, manners, sympathy, compassion, most of the stuff you write about. I also think as time goes on, our children are not taught these things. As a society, we think less about sharing kindness than becoming rich and famous. We care more about being inflexible and "right" than finding a way to acknowledge people as part of the human race, maybe not agreeing with them, but saying I still honor your right to your opinion, and opening a door for them. I know, it's hard when people are led by power rather than love.
I remember in the second grade class I taught my kids were always getting into fights on the playground. I finally asked them if they ever were taught to have manners and they all looked at me like they didn't know what I was talking about. I explained to them that if they accidentally bumped into someone on the playground, they needed to say they were sorry. Would they get mad if someone bumped into them and they apologized because it was an accident? They all said no.
I got them all in a line, and gave them a little exercise to do. They were to bump into me, then say, "I'm sorry I bumped into you, it was by accident." They thought it was pretty funny bumping into the teacher, but every child did the exercise. After that, the fighting pretty much stopped with my kids because they understood what manners did.
It would be wonderful if people learned how to be kind again, even to the ones we swear at because they cut in front of us. Once kindness is demonstrated, it is often repeated, but where I live it's almost always "me first". I think we need to help people remember how lovely it is when we are considered and acknowledged by others.
Perhaps we have forgotten that peace is not a solitary activity, that peace is to be shared. People now seek peace in needing to be alone, not to be bothered, to pay more attention to our phones than possibly making eye contact. We have been taught to keep our distance from others, to fear others rather than trying to recognize the kindness that is still inside them. I know, it sounds Pollyanna-ish, but when I remember, it makes me feel great, and hopefully it gives others a lift, too. And it doesn't cost anything except a little humility.
Wouldn't it be great if there were a national "Let Someone Else Go First Day," Think how many people would think about what kindness feels like. Maybe they had forgotten. Communing with others about the beautiful day or wishing each other well, feels really good. This is our natural human nature, IMO.
I was just telling my son the other day: Everybody loves to share but they can only share what they've got. If all they have is love that's what they can share, if hate, hate, if resentment, judgement, suspicion, prejudice, etc. then that's what they have to bring to the table. So we all need to realize when we come to the table don't bring rotten food to share. Clear your heart, quiet your mind, be open receptive, tolerant. Bring those thing to the table, but you have to grow them first, become those things. Now, how to talk ourselves into developing those practices. Often people feel perfectly justified with their rotten fruit and they thing you should eat it with them when they offer it. Because that's all they've got to share. Like I say, the fate of the nation rest on the shoulders of every citizen.
Yes, as the receiver of rotten fruit I told him it is best to be gracious and to understand that this is all that person has to offer. I told him the Sufi story about a seeker coming to a master's home in the desert. the seeker figured since it was the desert the best gift would be water so that is what the seeker offered to the master. the master graciously received the gift saying, "thank you for this thoughtful gift". The master signaled to his student to come and take the water so he did and left the room. then the student took the water and dumped it in the bottomless well of water in the master's backyard.
It is one practice to be generous in giving and another to be gracious in receiving.
For some people they only want to give because they feel in control or have the upper hand but are uncomfortable in receiving because then they feel vulnerable or indebted to the giver and will often avoid receiving or diminish the gift.
So very true. There is another Sufi Story I’ll send to you when I have some time. It is also a Sufi Story about power and perspectives. I have to run along and pack up another piece of artwork to ship by the time UPS closes.
Excellent message here, Cecil. As artists, if we are compelled to do so, we can protest whatever our hearts deem as unfair by the art we do, the messages we reveal by the expressions of what we've created. So often the spoken words won't come to me eloquently/articulately but in my art I can deliver a message, a protest, a 'shout out' with a louder punch.
I think we have forgotten what it means to be kind, regardless of politics, social standing, manners, sympathy, compassion, most of the stuff you write about. I also think as time goes on, our children are not taught these things. As a society, we think less about sharing kindness than becoming rich and famous. We care more about being inflexible and "right" than finding a way to acknowledge people as part of the human race, maybe not agreeing with them, but saying I still honor your right to your opinion, and opening a door for them. I know, it's hard when people are led by power rather than love.
I remember in the second grade class I taught my kids were always getting into fights on the playground. I finally asked them if they ever were taught to have manners and they all looked at me like they didn't know what I was talking about. I explained to them that if they accidentally bumped into someone on the playground, they needed to say they were sorry. Would they get mad if someone bumped into them and they apologized because it was an accident? They all said no.
I got them all in a line, and gave them a little exercise to do. They were to bump into me, then say, "I'm sorry I bumped into you, it was by accident." They thought it was pretty funny bumping into the teacher, but every child did the exercise. After that, the fighting pretty much stopped with my kids because they understood what manners did.
It would be wonderful if people learned how to be kind again, even to the ones we swear at because they cut in front of us. Once kindness is demonstrated, it is often repeated, but where I live it's almost always "me first". I think we need to help people remember how lovely it is when we are considered and acknowledged by others.
Perhaps we have forgotten that peace is not a solitary activity, that peace is to be shared. People now seek peace in needing to be alone, not to be bothered, to pay more attention to our phones than possibly making eye contact. We have been taught to keep our distance from others, to fear others rather than trying to recognize the kindness that is still inside them. I know, it sounds Pollyanna-ish, but when I remember, it makes me feel great, and hopefully it gives others a lift, too. And it doesn't cost anything except a little humility.
Wouldn't it be great if there were a national "Let Someone Else Go First Day," Think how many people would think about what kindness feels like. Maybe they had forgotten. Communing with others about the beautiful day or wishing each other well, feels really good. This is our natural human nature, IMO.
I was just telling my son the other day: Everybody loves to share but they can only share what they've got. If all they have is love that's what they can share, if hate, hate, if resentment, judgement, suspicion, prejudice, etc. then that's what they have to bring to the table. So we all need to realize when we come to the table don't bring rotten food to share. Clear your heart, quiet your mind, be open receptive, tolerant. Bring those thing to the table, but you have to grow them first, become those things. Now, how to talk ourselves into developing those practices. Often people feel perfectly justified with their rotten fruit and they thing you should eat it with them when they offer it. Because that's all they've got to share. Like I say, the fate of the nation rest on the shoulders of every citizen.
Good message to your son. Perhaps the answer to those with rotten fruit, "Thank you so much. I was just thinking about making some wine." :-)
Yes, as the receiver of rotten fruit I told him it is best to be gracious and to understand that this is all that person has to offer. I told him the Sufi story about a seeker coming to a master's home in the desert. the seeker figured since it was the desert the best gift would be water so that is what the seeker offered to the master. the master graciously received the gift saying, "thank you for this thoughtful gift". The master signaled to his student to come and take the water so he did and left the room. then the student took the water and dumped it in the bottomless well of water in the master's backyard.
It is one practice to be generous in giving and another to be gracious in receiving.
For some people they only want to give because they feel in control or have the upper hand but are uncomfortable in receiving because then they feel vulnerable or indebted to the giver and will often avoid receiving or diminish the gift.
So very true. There is another Sufi Story I’ll send to you when I have some time. It is also a Sufi Story about power and perspectives. I have to run along and pack up another piece of artwork to ship by the time UPS closes.
Take Care.
Excellent message here, Cecil. As artists, if we are compelled to do so, we can protest whatever our hearts deem as unfair by the art we do, the messages we reveal by the expressions of what we've created. So often the spoken words won't come to me eloquently/articulately but in my art I can deliver a message, a protest, a 'shout out' with a louder punch.