A core human compulsion is longing to belong. We love to define ourselves by our associations – religious beliefs, political persuasions, socio-economic status, race, color, favorite sports teams, age and more – yet that which connects also divides.
There are, however, a few qualities which have universal appeal. Two I can think of are kindness and compassion. Who in their right mind would turn away the generous gift of either from another?
We take ourselves so seriously sometimes. We complicate that which is in reality quite simple. We codify that which ought to be fluid and dynamic. We tend to resort more to rules and laws that restrain rather than redoubling our efforts to liberate the kindness and compassion that is intrinsic to our eternal, inner nature.
Call me a contrarian, but my feeling is that we need to resist the temptation to play whack-a-mole with the symptoms of societal dysfunction and get back to the basics. We need to emphasize and cultivate kindness and compassion in our homes, schools, churches and businesses.
So doing requires an investment: an investment of trust in our fellows, a revitalized faith in the regenerative power of of life and a recognition that the basic nature of every man, woman and child on earth is the same.
Gregory Hake 
I believe there is a sword that will cut the Gordian Knot of every single issue that has plagued humanity through the ages, and you have described the most powerful one. Kindness and compassion are related to love, the thing that unites us all, once allowed in our hearts.
In many ways, the world is driven and controlled by the specific application of fear, which does not correlate to any legitimate risk. Don’t harden your heart because you are afraid. On the contrary, the courageous thing is to take a risk and let love connect you to those who you would not normally be connected to, just as the post recommends.
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Great advice Gregg. Perhaps one way of looking at starting ones thoughts with Kindness and Compassion is to start with what is right with the other person(s) and/or situation. After all, the by far vast majority of us have much more right than wrong about ourselves. Starting with what is right would certainly reduce petty gossip wouldn’t it!
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Great post Gregg. Surely no harm could ever come from working to generate these qualities within ourselves. Kindness and compassion does not mean you’re a pushover, it does mean though that you have a deep and abiding concern to do whatever is in one’s own reach, to better the human condition. Thank you Gregg for what you do in this regard.
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I heartily agree. I’ve found even the seemingly most jaded person to have kernels of both. I think some fear they’ll be taken advantage of and others equate them with weakness. I think being a good example of this is the place to start. I’ve noticed both are catchy!
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