Compassion and lovingkindness... It's hard to go wrong with these... It's very true that a kind word on a hard day can make all the difference to a person. Likewise a cruel word on an otherwise bright day will be remembered for a long time.
I think the point that was made about tolerance and acceptance of other viewpoints being very important is a good one. It's not easy when the viewpoints others espouse say that you yourself say as a woman or perhaps as a minority etc are viewed as less worthy than they themselves are, yet nonetheless, we lose something if we curtail free expression too greatly. Many times in the past I have said well let's just agree to disagree and thank you for the courteous exchange
.
I have to say, I have always felt here that our very British long-standing cultural mandate to be courteous and kind (and not snarky) at all times, no matter how difficult, is quite frankly a very pure and unadorned expression of love and often of forgiveness ( for all manner of vile things said to us) for the stranger or the neighbour. I realise this is common to many cultures worldwide traditionally, and I think the reasons are the same.
Very nice thread Lynn and thank you for starting it.
Peace & blessings,
7L
__________________
Bound by conventions, people tend to reach for what is easy.
Here we must be unafraid of what is difficult.
For all living beings in nature must unfold in their particular way
and become themselves despite all opposition.
-- Rainer Maria Rilke