It is beyond a doubt more comfortable to be cruel, mean, and cynical than it is to be kind.  We only have to look at the various social media platforms to see that negativity and cruelty are prevalent in our everyday interactions.  It isn’t just my opinion; psychology research has found that negative events have a more significant impact on our brains than positive ones (“negativity bias”).

We do it to ourselves.  When was the last time you looked in a mirror and said, “Damn, I am looking good today,”? or you finished a project and said to yourself, “Wow, I totally crushed that project, great work me”?  Now think about the times you criticized yourself and your self-image or intelligence or parenting skills or how you showed up in relationships and on and on.  I am betting that you can find way more instances of the latter.  We do this in our interactions with others as well; we are quick to criticize but slow to compliment; why do you think that is? Because it's easier, it's less risky; it takes no courage or vulnerability.

Expressing kindness is seen (not by me) as weak and only for the pushovers and softies of the world.  In reality, genuine kindness takes strength, courage and a willingness to be vulnerable. Genuine kindness is expressed with no expectation of return; as I have said, it is a gift of the heart to the heart.

Anyone can be cynical, cruel, mean. Still, it takes a measure of personal strength to stand up and put yourself at risk by showing kindness, especially when the “majority” practices negativity.

If you genuinely want to accomplish something difficult, then show up with kindness not only for others but for yourself.  Kindness delivered with strength and conviction can be contagious, and that kind of contagion is an opportunity that we shouldn’t squander..