One of the initiatives of Kindness Champions is the postcard project. Postcards are mailed weekly using the vintage paper copy phonebook along with other media to people, businesses, and organizations. The front of the postcard states “You Matter – Thank you for being you and bringing your awesome to the world.” On the flip side of the postcard we write, by hand, “Dear Amazing (put their name here), We Love You, Kindness Champions. There have been moments over the past few years we have received a beautiful note, email, and social media thank you for people who received a postcard, which was unexpected and brought smiles and joy our way.
“Ah Kindness, What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in the world.” A. A. Malee
Last week in Kindness Champions mail was an envelope. There was no return address and it was taped with packing tape in a most secure way. I struggled to open this envelope. When I finally managed to open it was a postcard that had been sent to someone. On the flip side was a note that begin “Dear Not So Amazing.” The note continued to share how this postcard receiver did not like the postcard. It stopped me for a moment. My initial reaction which has remained with me is this person must be truly hurting emotionally to be triggered and have such a reaction to a postcard. I am sure there are people who receive the postcards who do not enjoy for a variety of reasons and throw them out. For this person the hurt and anger was to a level they took many actions to send it back.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle.” Plato
Over the years I have worked diligently to be more loving, kind, and compassionate towards myself. This work has liberated me to be more loving, kind, compassionate, and empathic to others. My empathy is great for this individual. A single postcard produced a lot of pain for them. I could have reacted in so many other ways. My personal learning is when I see people through a lens of empathy, compassion, and understanding it feels peaceful inside my soul. How someone else feels, even about a postcard, does not reflect on me. It is about them. When I spend time understanding why they feel how they feel in a non-defensive manner there is much to be gained and nothing to lose. We spend so much time in our lives trying to understand many things. Seems like we could spend time trying to understand each other as well.
“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” Charles Glassman
For anyone with a person, or people, who are in their life that are difficult to get along with consider your options. Sometimes it can be having a distant or non-existent relationship, or minimal interactions. Perhaps time could be spent getting to know them here and there, understanding a little better why they create barriers by throwing hurdles and jabs to fend caring people off. You could show them compassion and be kind to them because of who you are. To everyone we want you to know:
We Love You❤️
You Matter💞
We thank you for bringing your awesome to the world🌟
Here is a lovely article that shares information on compassion and empathy:
https://www.betterup.com/blog/compassion-vs-empathy
