Loving Kindness

Live by these words!

As I move into my new condo and unpack boxes, I have come across a book that was giving to me when I left Utah. Given to me by my dear friend Cammy. It is called Loving Kindness. In it's first page before the foreword there is a poem. It says it is Buddha's words on loving and kindness. I feel it is appropriate and important to share that poem now, with all the horrific events of the past week. First Charlottesville. Now Barcelona. And the many other attacks before and attacks that I am sure will follow. I feel the best way to combat these incidents is to spread Love and Kindness. Yes, it can be extremely difficult to think in these terms some days and especially toward people who spread hate and violence. But remember what Nelson Mandela has said in the past... shared by Barack Obama this past week...

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” - Nelson Mandela

So, I say let's go out and teach love. Spread Love and Joy wherever we go. Even to those who appear that they don't want love. To those who would rather spread hate and violence. I, in my heart, just can not believe that is what those people really want. They just can't! So go out and hug a "hate monger" and let them know you choose love. Go out and hug an "alt-right" individual and let them know you choose love and kindness. Go out and hug anyone and everyone who will allow it without confrontation or protest. Let's teach the whole world! Will you join me?

Whether you live by religion or not. Whether you believe in Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad or some other figure. I feel the following words are important, profound, and worthy to live by.
Now here is the wisdom of Buddha

This is what should be done
By those who are skilled in goodness,
And who know the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech.
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied.
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful,
Not proud and demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: in gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen,
Those living hear and far away,
Those born and to-be-born---
May ALL beings be at ease.
Let none deceive another, 
Or despise any bein in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will
Wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings;
Radiating kindness over the entire world:
Spreading upward the skies,
And downward to the depths;
Outward and unbounded,
Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down,
Free from drowsiness,
One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding.
By not holding to fixed views,
The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision,
Being freed from all sense desires,
Is not born again into this world.
-Buddha

Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today!!!