Gentle is defined as having a kind, tender character, moderate in action and effect, to calm by Dictionary.com. What a powerful word with the strong ability to support, strengthen, and heal.
Gentle is a really good thing.
If you look at the world around us there seems to be a lot of edgy, harsh, in your face moments. Too often it appears that people are negative, critical, judgemental to themselves and to others. Sometimes this can hide all gentle that surrounds us.
Gentle does exist. It exists within us and in the world around us. We need gentle and more of it.
A recent thought of gentle is when Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, gave a gentle, strong embrace and hug to victims of the Christchurch shooting. Her compassion shined strongly as she hugged and listened to their words and feelings. That is gentle.
I have a friend who is going through something horrible with her son. I know of some events and interactions prior to this recent one. I do not know what happened this time. My friend and I spoke yesterday and she said she did not want to talk about it. That she loves me (we are the kind of friends who tell each other everything) and did not want me to think she was upset with me. She said she needs to take time to get her head straight and calm.
My first thoughts (I did not say this) was tell me, I can help you, have you, why haven’t you stuff. Those thoughts are about me, not about what she needs. She needs my gentle. What I said to her I am her for her, to take care of herself, that I love her and support her. She did not need my judgements, criticism, feedback.
When horrible things are going on with people we care about we want to fix, direct, make it better. While unintentional that can come across as put downs. Telling someone you love and care for them feels like you are doing so little. Yet (and this is a hard, freeing thought) each one of us has the right answers within us of the best choices we can make to for our happy. The love and support we are giving to others includes the belief in them to figure out what they need to do. Dorothy always had the power WITHIN her to go home. She got herself there. Yep Glenda pointed out her magic red shoes yet it was all Dorothy.
Gentle applies to us. When things are going awry around us, we don’t like the choices we are making or how we are behaving what about be gentle with ourselves? What if our self message is to be kind, tender. To say it’s ok, you are ok and will figure this out. Doesn’t that feel so much better than the judgmental “why did you do this” “you should have done that” critical inner voice.
Gentle while so soft is so incredible strong.
The is an amazing quote that says:
Everyone you know is fighting a battle you know nothing about
Be kind
Always
That includes you. You so matter in this world. What you bring is unique to you and the world needs your you! Be kind and gentle to yourself and others around you. Give it a try as what do you have to lose.
Thank you for bring your you to the world💝
