It’s been said before,
“Do unto others,
As you would have them
Do unto you.”

How do we interact
With our inner selves?
To what depths do we reach?

Whatever you offer others,
You must nurture in yourself first,
Lest your wellspring run dry.

To be kind
Is to cultivate love within.
If you dwell on I,
You lose sight of We.
And no I is
Without the embrace
Of the We.

The kindness in giving
Is a radiant energy,
A resonance and a pulse.
Giving of ourselves
Ignites friction.
Friction births a spark.
Collision unveils new beginnings.

A single spark
Illuminates eternity.

The Ripple Effect of Self-Kindness

There’s an age-old wisdom that’s been passed down through generations: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s a beautiful principle, but let’s dig a little deeper into what it really means for you and how you live your life.

First, think about how you treat yourself. Are you as kind to yourself as you are to others? It’s funny how we often forget to apply this golden rule to our own inner world. The philosopher Martin Buber talked about something called “I-Thou” relationships, where we see others not as objects, but as beings worthy of deep respect and connection. But here’s the twist – that “Thou” needs to include yourself too.

When you nurture kindness within yourself, you’re not just being selfish. You’re actually creating a wellspring of goodness that can flow out to others. It’s like what Carl Rogers, a famous psychologist, called “unconditional positive regard.” When you can offer that to yourself, it becomes so much easier to offer it to others.

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. You might think that focusing on yourself could make you lose sight of others, but it’s actually the opposite. By taking care of your own needs and cultivating self-love, you’re better equipped to see and care for others. It’s not about “I” versus “We” – it’s about realizing that “I” is part of “We.” You’re not separate from the world around you; you’re an integral part of it.

This connection between self and others isn’t static. It’s dynamic, always changing and growing. The philosopher Alfred North Whitehead had this idea that reality is made up of events and processes rather than fixed things. Your acts of kindness, both to yourself and others, are like that – they’re events that spark change and growth.

When you give of yourself, it might sometimes feel like friction or even collision. That’s okay. Those moments of discomfort are often where the magic happens. They’re the sparks that can light up new beginnings, new understandings, new connections.

So, here’s what I want you to remember: Every time you’re kind to yourself, every time you nurture your own well-being, you’re creating ripples that extend far beyond you. You’re not just filling your own cup; you’re contributing to a vast ocean of kindness and connection.

Start small. Maybe it’s just taking a moment each day to appreciate yourself. Or perhaps it’s setting a healthy boundary. Whatever it is, know that in taking care of yourself, you’re also taking care of the world around you. That spark of kindness you nurture within? It has the power to illuminate eternity.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. We’re all connected, all part of this beautiful, complex web of relationships. By being kind to yourself, you’re playing your part in making that web stronger and more vibrant. So go ahead, be good to yourself. The world needs your light.