Kindness Includes Everything
“What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded … sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly. Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet. Its a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but Id say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder.” In this excerpt from a commencement speech, George Saunders makes an eloquent case for kindness. { read more }
Be The Change
November 13th is World Kindness Day. Do something kind for someone today and share your story here! { more } |
Richard Whittaker
I had 108 guys and just two of us adults. When I first went in there it was a totally unsafe place. People were punching each other out, all kinds of stuff. It wasn’t going to happen on my shift. Eventually a dangerous place became a safe place. I became a lead counselor. It was all intuitive.”
Educators would ask, “Why are you visiting us?” I said, “I see that your students are 100% children in poverty, but they are doing as well as your higher wealth comparables.” What I found was that the students were involved with the arts. They weren’t doing the narrow curriculum of drill and kill.
Editor’s note: Dear Friends, Life has a way of surprising us, and often handing us an invitation to choose kindness. The stories this week touch on big and small surprises, that find a way to touch others unexpectedly. Speaking of invitation, we would like to invite you to join us in the next 21-Day Gratitude Challenge coming up on November 24th. To learn more: 
Sangha of Auspicious Companions 