Chapter 7 Kindness is not weakness,

The overriding theme of my game workshop will be kindness, both to ourselves and others.
I have been reflecting on kindness and its perceived link with weakness.

It seems to me that the loud, go getters, the people who make demands, who place the most importance on their own needs being met are seen as strong. The 'get what you want at all costs', chasing your own success and happiness attitude does not make you strong.

It takes courage and strength to truly look at ourselves, move from a place of selfishness and realign our values to understand the value of kindness and how that can impact on our own lives and the lives of those around us.

Compassion and kindness are a source of strength. Feeling like we are making a difference in the world and helping those around us brings us joy and gives us meaning.

This all starts with us being kind to ourselves, if we are not kind to ourselves then naturally we don't value the kindness of others.

I think the Darwinian theory of survival of the fittest is used to justify selfishness, meanness and cruelty, what we forget is that key to our survival is cooperation, working together and looking after each other. In the descent of man Darwin mentions survival of the fittest twice and love over ninety times. We survive and flourish when we help each other.

Being kind does not make me a pushover, I do not allow myself to get walked over. I have self respect and boundaries. I do not lack ambition, I am not an easy target.
I have courage and have faced challenges but I am not all up in your face with my confidence and brilliance. I am happy to care and be compassionate for those around me.
The welfare of others is important to me, that is of benefit to everyone.

I can challenge others when necessary but I choose to do this in a positive manner rather than bulldozing people with criticism. I have enough strength of character to know I don't need to assert my authority over others.

I am kind but I am not emotionally frail. I don't think being rude and disparaging the kind efforts of others means someone is strong, powerful or admirable.

Let's not focus on raising strong children let's do all we can to raise kind children.