BE KIND
There are about eight billion of us on planet Earth as of this writing.
We add about 80 million people to our population each year — in excess of a million and a half a week.
Our relationships with each other, as individuals and nation states, have always been and continue to be troubled.
Why?
Many people operate out of hardwired primitive instincts and emotions associated with the primitive origins of our brains and related short-term survival instincts.
Getting past this genetic programming may be humanity’s greatest challenge if we are to sustain our existence, advance our civilization, and succeed as a species.
Too often, we act only in our perceived self-interest.
We feel that if we do not look out for ourselves, who will?
In today’s intimately interrelated world, we are obliged to look beyond ourselves.
In our interdependent existence, we ignore and mistreat others at our peril.
We are like links in a chain.
The fate of each link, directly and indirectly, affects all the others.
There is individuality but not independence.
To think differently is to delude ourselves.
We are dependent upon each other at every turn.
Each person’s health and integrity affects the health and integrity of the whole.
We are each a part of a system of relationships that embrace our family, friends, neighbors, business associates, organizations, communities, nations, and family of nations.
No single object or entity exists independently.
What we do to others, we do to ourselves.
My late brother, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, in his later years, posted a note near his desk: “Everyone tells the truth.”
The reality, and what my brother understood, is that everyone tells their truth.
As a result, where two are more gather there will be disagreement.
It’s a fact of life.
The evidence is overwhelming.
Our greatest challenge in all of our infinite endeavors is to find common ground peacefully in our relationships with others.
Above and beyond finding common ground with others is kindness, an extraordinary and powerful quality.
So much so that when we witness exceptional acts of kindness, tears come to our eyes.
Instinctively, we recognize that something wonderful and selfless has occurred.
Kindness is an expression of our nurturing dimension.
It is human nature at its best.
This is something each of us has the opportunity daily to demonstrate in large and small ways.
Most people carry heavy burdens.
Life is not easy.
Help to lighten their load.
Be kind.
You will be rewarded richly even though you do not seek a reward.