Kindness is Human Nature

Kindness is not just a human concept, it is written in the DNA of all forms of life - a basic instinct to protect the peace of your home to foster happiness. Contempt and hate however, are a human concept, born from a place of bitterness, a catalyst for anger that self-perpetuates. As the wise proverb states ‘holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die’ and far too many of us are willing to sacrifice ourselves as a way to strengthen our immunity to a sickness only forgiveness can cure.

The first step to cultivating kindness is in recognising and rehabilitating the bitterness within yourself, perhaps to go as far as to identify the origin of it in order to exercise it from within. Some choose meditation, thoughtful walks in peaceful places, long conversations with those who have planted seeds of doubt in order to understand them better. Progress also comes with accepting the possibility of a valid cause behind times when others are unkind, learning to recognise a potential reasoning for their cruelty and coming to peace with it as a way of breaking the cycle of self-perpetuating anger so that it cannot hold power over you. It is also in accepting and understanding that ignorance and fear can often be leading factors in the actions of the inconsiderate.

Kindness and inclusivity should be an unquestionable norm within humanity and yet somehow we have wandered away from that; blame and frustration are easy to settle on as reactionary answers to the issue but in actuality it should be understanding first and then guidance.

I wish to use this understanding to start the conversation with those who point fingers and blame, with those who spread unkindnesss like-for-like, and replace it with a healthy and productive solution. I want to use my voice and medium as a creator to nurture the ingrained desire to generate happiness within oneself through the happiness of others. I wish to write so that those who have felt the bitterness and anger may understand their own power in rejecting it for peace, and so that those who use cruelty to hide their ignorance know that it is far more beneficial to simply ask questions. I wish to write so that minorities are understood, so that the quiet communities know that their voices are valid and so that others know that they can do the same - speak out for what they believe in a way that doesn’t perpetuate hate but shatters it. I plan to form a community of creators who know what it is to be bullied, misunderstood and hurt by the ignorance of others and stand as a testament that kindness begets kindness even in the face of pain.

I will start with myself, with smiles first and patience always. With the acceptance of the multitude of sides to any story and respect for the differences in the way we have all be told it.

Eventually I hope to step into a more practical world where I can build a community garden where acceptance and respect are the only rules, and start a book club where people can share passion without fear. I want to raise my future children to show only kindness and to expect it in return, but always to treat others with understanding even if the same respect is not given. I wish for forgiveness to be my first step in reconciliation to those who have wished me ill and guidance to a better way for those who have lost it.

We have a dream for a kinder world and that begins with a kinder self.