My Kind of World
When I interact with others, I hope they’ll respond with patience and kindness. However, I understand that I can’t control their behavior. Since I know that I want and need patience and kindness in my life, I cannot wait for other people to give it to me. I need to practice patience and kindness for myself throughout the day.
Knowing that, I try to keep these things in mind:
- If I don’t know what to say to someone, or if I’m not sure what choice to make, I can stop to think, “What decision will have patience and kindness at its core?”
- Sometimes, I get frustrated and want a project to move forward faster or a person to understand me more. By practicing responding with patience and kindness, I can appreciate the ongoing effort it takes to consistently embody these qualities. It’s a muscle that I can grow through repetition.
- While I might want to work on this aspect of my life right now, that doesn’t mean other people want to do the same. I can move from spaces that lack the warmth I’m looking for, making room for more nurturing environments.
My practice is not perfect, but it’s a muscle worth putting energy into. By taking charge of my inner world and cultivating these qualities within myself, I create a foundation for a kinder and more patient experience of life, both for myself and those around me.
ACTION: Think about how you want the world to respond to you. Practice responding to your day and life in that way.
