Practicing Discernment & Kindness

Hi All,  

I, like many of you, have been following the news, which admittedly seems pretty dire and just plain awful. I make a point of trying my best to tune into unbiased news outlets as much as possible to find out about current situations in the world and our country. Unfortunately, depending on what source you go to, the news can be very different. On one site, group 1 is out to get group 2 and everyone who leans more towards group 2’s beliefs or ideals and must be stopped from speaking and opposing group 1. To counter this view, on other sites, it is exactly the opposite, group 1 are monsters and must be silenced. Who do you believe? Who is telling the truth? 

In my humble perspective, neither group is being 100% completely honest. So what are we to do? Other than not believing anyone, we as thinking beings, can and must use our discernment. Discernment is defined as ‘the skill or quality of being able to comprehend what is obscure or hidden among what others present to us’. In other words, as my Dad used to say, “to cut out the bull and get down to the meat of it.” Ask yourself who is leading with benevolence? Who is walking the walk and who is just all talk? Who is speaking of division and hate? 

Do not let others tell you how to think, rather get the facts, all of them, do your due diligence and read and research. Look at the sources, are they paid for by group 1 or 2 or are they independent? These are important things to look into and take into consideration. 

I want to offer another manner to combat the battle for finding one's way in today’s spiky world. And that is to BE KIND!!! As the quote from R.J. Palacio states,  "When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind"  Why?, because choosing kindness is always right. Forget all of the noise and choose kindness. I go back to what I have written about in the past. We may not be able to be at the UN meetings, on the Senate floor, or in the Supreme Court Chambers, but we are in our communities and can look around and observe. Who needs help? What organizations are serving others in need regardless of their affiliation to a group? Give support to these organizations however you are able. In everyday life, offer a smile to someone or do some small gesture to show you see them. In today’s world it is so easy to fall prey to the tide of misinformation, and the wave of driving a wedge between each other. Those at the top are betting on that. What we do have complete control over is our own actions. So, I repeat, choose kindness.

Personally, I see many different people in my work from many different backgrounds. And, I do my very best to help them through Reiki and Grief Recovery to heal and gain balance. I know when it comes down to it, we are all here, in this time and together experiencing this life, trying our best. We all want to be seen, heard and to be treated with kindness. 

Sending Love and Light to all,

Jan