Kindness: Let It Flow

Day 34: Kindness: Let it Flow

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” -Tao Lzu

If only we were all so disciplined and enlightened! It is a beautiful quote that I like to believe is attainable. However, how exactly does a person live this way? Nonresistance; what does that mean anyway? To not resist reality, to not resist our feelings and thoughts in the moment they descend upon us? Let it be, let things flow, let people be who they are and embrace our uniqueness and live it? The closest I ever get to flow is in yoga class, I suppose it’s a start. Ha!

Some people are just more inclined to go with the flow, for the rest of us, it takes practice. Perhaps when the feelings or situation is difficult or painful, we all resist. I have learned the hard way that the old adage is true: What we resist, persists. As I am attempting to live in the flow of kindness, I will broaden my mind to simply live in the flow.

1. Kindness to Self:

   How can I live in nonresistance and turn that into being kind to myself? I think living in the flow of life means living our truth, embracing our unique personality and always listening to what we want before others’ wants and needs.

2. Kindness to Others:

   Let others be exactly who they are without attempting to change them. Raise our children to love who they are and to encourage individuality over fitting in. Be verbal in your compliments and learn to celebrate unique gifts and talents. Being all the same is boring and torturous. Just think back to middle school and how painful it is to try to fit in. Yuck!  Here is a lovely song by James Bay, Let It Go, listen to the words and enjoy the message.

3. Kindness to Strangers:

   Invite spontaneity into your life through interactions with the larger community that surrounds you. Be open to different people, different situations and unexpected encounters. Learn to embrace and you might just make a new friend or maybe you will brighten the day of a stranger.

4. Kindness to Our Planet:

   “Nonresistance is the key to the greatest power in the universe.” -Eckhart Tolle

Jennifer Palazzo

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com/JanZajc