Turning the other cheek sucks sometimes...

So this week I have felt both focused in my work but also sort of unfocused emotionally. I find myself  being conscious of when I am overwhelmed by the news and focusing more and more on what i can control. I had a great discussion with a friend and she said something super profound. “Kindness is a more permanent revolution.” This is my new favorite mantra. It seems so obvious but the way it’s worded seems to perfectly resonate.

So more and more I am focusing on maintaining my default level of  “relentless optimism” and finding ways to just be open and be kind.

I’ve always been “relentlessly optimistic.” That’s a term my mom was quick to point out about be. She admired that trait as she was far more skeptical about human nature.  I’ve always believed in the good in people, even when they were jerks to me. I’ve become more aware of human nature as I’ve gotten older so my philosophy has become “Yes Gail, everyone has God’s light inside but some of them are hiding that light up their butt.” I don’t like the term garbage humans; there are certainly ignorant humans who perform garbage actions. That doesn’t make them any less human but I am frustrated when I'm in those situations my reaction is to do my best to respond with love and pray that they figure out their sins on their own journey. Turning the other cheek sucks sometimes.

I am so deeply saddened and frustrated by all of the things that I hear in the news. I don’t understand how so many people in power can be so seemingly unenlightened to the true nature of humans or at least have the decency to really stand in the shoes of the people whose rights they are taking away. I truly think that if they understood on the fundamental spiritual level that we all have inherent worth and dignity they would realize what matters.  

I think that the golden rule is also psychological programing. We should treat others like we want to be treated but what often happens is we treat others how we treat ourselves. When I am feeling guilty and picking on myself I will sometimes lash out or quick to judge the actions of others. I have found that the more that I forgive myself and treat my mistakes like inside jokes rather than things I pick on myself for forever, the more I am able to forgive others.

I’ve always been a fan of of the idea of “seeing God in the eyes of stranger.” The idea that when we do good deeds we see Jesus in each other’s eyes. We feel the sense of “the one soul.” For me, there is a sense of also seeing my mom as well. As she is part of that one soul as well.  So I think the more I am tapped into this center of love and the spirit, the more I see it in others.

So I plan on focusing on maintaining my inner resilience and optimism, offering a listening ear and a crying shoulder when I can and generally letting this little light shine bright like a crazy diamond. I also will start to look for more ways that I can participate in direct action as well as ways that I can help within my community.  

I can’t control other people's actions but I can control how I respond to them and control what I put out into the world. I will move forward and take things day by day.