I’m so honored to have the privilege to feature the amazing Karin, an international writer and journalist here on my blog. In a time where are world is more divided than ever and there is chaos and sadness everywhere, this beautiful piece of art work in the form of words will lift your spirits and remind you the beauty we can all give each other as humans . We must stand in solidarity .
Please enjoy,
Stacie
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It’s hard to always
be our best selves all the time. Daily, little things annoy us. Other people
annoy us. Days of annoyances pile up through the week. Finally, thoughtlessly,
we vent our layers of frustration on a hapless, inanimate object. We kick the
car, bang the trashcan lid, slam the door.
No real harm done except to our toes and ears. In spite of the pain, we
feel vaguely better.
Those are the “easy”
days. What about the times when not only our lives, but the world around us is
beyond “annoying”? What if it is falling
apart? When nothing goes according to
plan and it all goes from “annoying” to a downright emotional melt down. How do we cope in these times?
We can turn to our personal faith for
guidance. Hard times have flowed through
our whole history. Religions have a common thread that binds them. Bible,
Koran, Torah or Tripitaka all have a common voice to guide us through troubled
times. It is – humble kindness.
They all ask us to reach out to our
neighbour, friend or family and ultimately our “enemy” and offer humble
kindness. What is “humble kindness” and
how can it help us in tough times?
How many times in a
day do we ask “How is your day going”?
The cashier, the waitress, the dog walking neighbour. We nod and barely accept the standard “I’m
fine” reply. But, imagine a different world. One of kindness. A world where we stop and with humble eyes, see
the people around us? A day in which we
stop a moment to understand and not rush quickly by because “it’s none of our
business”? What if we find not a
“problem” but an unexpected friend? An angel in disguise. A world and a day to stop being- afraid.
Jesus made everyone
“his business’. He was the biggest “busybody” on the planet. Politicians, beggars,
bankers, children. Men and women. Nobody
was safe from his attention or his annoying personal questions. He “did” unto
everyone. With humble kindness.
The stench of a hungry beggar did not distract
him from sharing his bread. The bawling baby found comfort on his lap. A fallen
women sat beside him and found respect. A politician argued with him and
learned tolerance. He saw our “better
selves”.
In our current, troubled
world, it is hard to be kind. “They” are not kind. “They” are not like us. THEY are not –us. We are blinded by our learned fears. We have
lost the trust that our neighbours will “do unto us” in good faith. Jesus, Buddha and Moses led by example. They
have asked us to do the same. “Do unto others as you would have done to
you”. Our actions, however small, have
reactions. Hate breeds hate. Kindness spreads kindness. Respect creates
respect.
Yes. It is hard. But
was life easier in Biblical times? Tough
times are testing times. We are being tested. Fortunately, we can look to those
who have gone before. We can have faith. We can be, “humbly kind”. And, by
doing so, become our Better Selves. Jesus would approve. Mohammed would nod, Moses
would stroke his beard and Buddha would smile.
Kvonkrenner
10-2020
(©)
Karin is a writer, world traveler and journalist covering the human story around the world. She has her own twist on things, heavily fueled by coffee. She has worked with ANSA, AP, The Middle East Journal, Action Publications and many other international agencies and publications. She tends to end up in the wrong place at the right time. Freelance > Contact: kkrennerwriter@gmail.com
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