She Who Leads
Kindness Towards All
This is the 142nd post and it is the one-year anniversary of my debut on Substack. I have actually been thinking for the last two months about how to start the second year. Looking at the world causes a lot of sadness, but this could change overnight if people as a group — if humanity united in commitment to the common good — and if we each took steps in the right direction. It is difficult sometimes to believe that simple measures can have profound effects.
The first step is actually very personal and sometimes it challenges us to think outside the box. It involves the conquest of our own thoughts, think of it as the yoga of the mind rather than various postures of the body. Our actions are seeded in our thoughts so if our minds are calm, reasonable, tolerant, generous, kind, and friendly, our actions will necessarily be of the same nature. No one would be afraid of what could go wrong much less of some volcanic outburst that shatters the nerves of those in the vicinity of the one whose temperament has gone amok.
My idea is that if each person reading this played it forward, meaning shares the ideas with three others who, in turn, play it forward again . . . and again . . . and again, tensions would reduce. As they do so, the people experiencing this reprieve from fear would also relax and play it forward.
Yes, I can perhaps sound naïve, but this method actually works. It is concerning that there are so many false prophets describing the alpha male as someone with dry powder and impatience rather than as someone wise, compassionate, and visionary.
With the mass media, even so-called free-speech platforms, being so biased, it is difficult for anyone to have clear understanding of the facts of any situation. One gauntlet I might throw is to change the channels you watch for one week. For instance, if you watch ABC, try Fox News for a week. If you watch Fox News, try ABC. If you intentionally engage someone with the opposite viewing habits, initiate a conversation about important events such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the elections, the best way to manage immigration and integration into a society that is different. Be calm, clear, and pledge to listen to a perhaps diametrically opposed view. Pass the talking stick to the other person with a commitment to listen. Neither may raise his or her voice, neither may use vulgar language, neither may criticize the other. If, as expected, the views differ significantly, explore the ways facts are presented and discuss a solution to bias that brings the Truth into focus. This is mature, not rabid polarity.
People do not necessarily have the same tastes or preferences so if world tensions are too volatile, try discussing something like target saving. Or, play a game, you have just won $100,000, but you and your most important other or adversary can only spend it IF you can agree on the priorities. Maybe one person wants to travel and the other wants to add an extra room to the house. You cannot split the funds, you must agree without any bullying or arguing. Try to make it fun so that problem solving becomes easier and easier.
Lastly, as I start this new cycle of writing, I would like to urge everyone to speak politely and gently. This is not a sign of weakness but of maturity. It also generates trust and improves our vibration.
Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2024 || All Rights Reserved
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