On a limb with Claudia

All I have to do is stop being self-centered.

Compassion is easy (because I don't have to be selfless to be compassionate). Real kindness? That can be hard.

I found myself a bit confused by the question at first. Probably because I was thinking of it as a cause/effect situation. I think it only takes an awareness that, despite superficial details, we are all the same; with the same hopes, dreams, struggles, etc.

I saw a plaque once (that I really wish now I had bought) which read, "Treat everyone as though their heart is broken, because it probably is." I think that only kindness can ensue from that.

My first thought was "to be treated fairly," but then I thought that's not what the question is asking.

What does it take for me to be kind? It's a mindset.

TWMark - Excellent point. We must recognize the opportunity first before we can act. Gosh, I've missed so many.

Perpstu - I think that's an interesting boundary. Does everyone deserve our kindness? In some situations, maybe not. Then how do we reset to kindness when we're in the other mode?

La Shae - That's a very good point - remembering that other's exist. I'm surprised sometimes how few people consider this. ME is so much more important than US

Heart in SF - I wonder if kindness is always our native state. I think sometimes we are trained to be unkind, cruel as a way of proving how 'smart' we are.

When I thought about this, I realized that it is really second nature to be kind. When I am UNkind, it is because something exceptional happened which pushed my buttons, and I always take notice.

It takes me continually being mindful that I share this space with everything else and my right to be here is no more and no less special then anything else's right to be here.

Honesty. No matter what the situation is, if you are honest with me, I am far more likely to feel compasionate and kind towards your hardships than if I have been lied to or misled.

I've had far too much of that this year.

An opportunity to present itself that I can recognize for what it is.