There are horrors and tragedy in this world we live in.

Nothing new there, and yet each time we bear witness to the unspeakable, it’s like a scabbed wound unable to heal.

Just when the protective crust begins to form, some new atrocity rips away the healing layer.

So now what?

I know I’m not alone in feeling powerless and heartbroken (and sickened, saddened, energetically wilted) in the face of abominable acts of violence continually being committed in the name of one thing or another but always with the same motivator:

Fear– manifesting as hatred.

I happen to believe the philosophy that our actions are dictated by either love or fear, but regardless of which philosophy empowers and directs you, we all share the pain through our interconnectedness as human beings and though it often appears otherwise, I’m reminded time and time again that we are not powerless when an energy of hatred takes hold on the world and it’s time for us to take action.

You’re a little nervous about what I’m going to say next, aren’t you? In case I want you to send money somewhere, or go head up an activist group, or take responsibility for awakening others to ideas they do not want to be awakened to, etc…

No worries! It’s a simple two word directive:

BE KIND.

That’s it!

But as usual, simple does not mean easy. It rarely does for actions that bring true change.

Most people who know me would think, “how is it difficult for you to be kind, Lisa? I’ve never seen you be unkind.”

And that’s the truth. I am generally kind. But it’s not the whole truth.

Oh sure, I’ll put errant carts back in the cart corral at stores, hold doors for people, jump in to help, reach, or lift when I see someone that seems as though they need my help. I’m a helper– that comes easy to me.

It’s when I’m on the road that I’m most in danger of being unkind.

An asshole really.

If my darker side is behind the wheel, the actual goal of driving (to get where you’re going safely for self and all others on the road) appears to become overshadowed by this inner drive (pun intended 🙂 ) to be first. In those dark-self moments, every person who pulls out ahead of me, rides my ass, passes me only to go slower than I feel is feasible, is texting and not watching the road, etc… becomes some idiot f*cker.

I’m denying our interconnectedness by perceiving them as a “them” on my road rather than an “us” sharing the road.

Unkind, to say the least. (Recognizing and acknowledging what’s behind this angry, road-raging facet of myself requires much more in terms of words, so we’ll save that for a separate post.)

I share this because I have shame where this side of myself is concerned and I don’t want to give it additional power by keeping it secret.

Shame is a disempowering emotion that does nothing to diminish a behavior you desire to rectify, whereas kindness and unconditional acceptance toward self will encourage and fuel you to do the continuous work required to shine a light on and evolve from areas of your being that don’t serve.

So I’m working on it. I know not to let that level of myself take the wheel and when I get a hint of her, I endeavor to shut her down. And make no mistake: she doesn’t always go down easily. 😤

We all have something. Lots of somethings. There are facets of ourselves we need to acknowledge, adjust, and diffuse just as there are facets we need to recognize, build up, and engage. Beating up on yourself is nothing but a waste of energy.

Be kind. To yourself.

That’s where you start. Then keep going.

In your home. On your street. On the next street over.

Don’t stop.

You’re doing something. And it’s a something that’s actually EVERYTHING.

p.s. When it comes to additional forms of taking action, rest easy that no one else is intended to tell you what that “should be” or that one way is better than another. Listen and be led to what actions you are compelled to take and don’t doubt the significance of any effort impelled by love.