The Power of Forgiveness, Kindness, and Compassion

Have you ever wondered how men show kindness and compassion to other men that wronged them?

The impression in my mind is not a good one. Of course, I have seen war and seen atrocities that people do to each other. Thus, my perception may be a little different.

This doesn't change the fact and it does make me wonder.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32

Here are my thoughts:

Forgiveness as a sign of true strength

Kindness as leadership

Compassion as wisdom

Forgiveness as a Sign of True Strength

Forgiving rivals prevents ongoing feuds and wars. Take Saladin and Richard the Lionheart, for example.

Richard the Lionheart and Saladin faced off during the Third Crusade. This conflict meant to recapture Jerusalem from Muslim control. Saladin recaptured Jerusalem in 1187 from the Christians. Christians controlled Jerusalem since the First Crusade.

During the conflict, Richard fell ill. Saladin sent his physician to tend to him. He also provided fresh fruits to aid in Richard's recovery.

This act of kindness humanized the conflict. In a way, Christians forgave Muslims for recapturing Jerusalem.

The conflict ended with the Treaty of Ramla. This allowed Christians to access the city as pilgrims under Muslim control.

These actions prevented further conflict between the two religions. It also turned enemies into allies, for both had access to religious sites. One of the main reasons for holding Jerusalem.

Both leaders set an example for others to emulate. This influenced both religions to value peace and cooperation over conflict. Even though, conflict was inevitable.

So forgive those who wronged you. This heals your heart and sets an example for others. This is simple, but not easy. I'm still working on this every day.

Kindness as Leadership

Kindness builds strong loyalty and trust. People who display kindness also value and respect the other person. When in a relationship, this makes the valued and respected person likely to remain loyal.

Kindness promotes unity and cooperation. People who display kindness inspire a similar behavior in others. This is contagious in a way. Thus, people unite to achieve a common goal.

Let's take Abraham Lincoln as an example. President Lincoln's kindness toward his generals and soldiers built loyalty and trust. President Lincoln often visited troops on the battlefield and in hospitals. He offered encouraging and comforting words to the wounded soldiers.

It was Lincoln's kind approach that won over his opposition. He listened and understood different perspectives. This helped bring different groups together. A sign of his kindness uniting people.

His kindness carried on after the end of the Civil War. Lincoln offered lenient terms to the defeated Confederate states. This was his way of accountability while reconciling the nation.

So practice kindness every day. Support a friend today. Thank a colleague for their contributions tomorrow. Whatever your act of kindness, it builds a stronger and trusting relationship.

Compassion as Wisdom

Compassionate leaders empathized with others' experiences and struggles. Thus, they have high emotional intelligence. These leaders have a deeper understanding of the human element.

Taking into consideration other's needs and feelings, a compassionate leader gathers different perspectives. This enriches his knoweldge and understanding of a situation. The compassionate leader can then make better, informed decisions.

This compassion stengthens any community. It promotes care and mutual respect. Like the other traits, compassion breeds more compassion. It's contagious. Thus, a copmassionate leader creates a more cohesive and supportive environment.

Take Mahatma Ghandi as an example. Ghandi exemplified compassion through his nonviolent resistance against British rule in India.

Ghandi understood the suffering and struggle of the Hindu people. This understanding guided his actions and decisions. This led to the strategy of nonviolent resistance. Ghandi wanted to understand and address the root causes of conflict. He believed this would lead to a more sustainable solutions.

Ghandi united the Hindu people in many acts of civil disobedience. Most notably, the peaceful protest of the British salt tax. This act garnered international support and attention.

Ghandi's acts of compassion didn't stop there, though. He also reconciled Hindus and Muslims during a time of tension. A true testatment to his commitment to working together toward a common goal.

So show compassion toward others. Understand other's perspectives. Show empathy when resolving conflicts or helping someone in need.

Conclusion

Follow the examples of the men above. You will find true strength in forgiveness, kindness, and compassion.