When you hear the phrase "be nice" what do you think? Does being nice sound like a difficult or easy thing to do? Does being nice sound wimpy and cheesy? Do you know of people that you wish would just "be nice?"
In actuality, being nice, kind, and affirming can be quite challenging. We live in a world that values speed, quick decision making, and mental toughness. Being kind and taking time to consider others and how we might lift them up is rather revolutionary in a culture that says me first and hurry up!!
How to begin? Small actions and simple words can be powerful. Saying something nice may look like quieting our own inner voice that is harsh and sometimes cruel. Instead, we can try telling ourselves something encouraging. Saying something nice might be as simple as sharing a compliment with a stranger, or noticing how hard someone is trying as they work toward learning something new.
In the Metta meditation, we practice being nice and wishing ourselves well: May I be Happy. May I be Healthy. May I Live With Ease. The next part of the meditation is to expand those thoughts to others: first to those we care about, those we are in proximity with, and then on to people who are difficult or hard to be around. Finally, our well wishes extend out to all of the world and humankind. If you've tried this meditation, then you know it can be challenging. The Metta is a disciplined and strength building practice. In no way is this meditation practice easy or wimpy.
May you say something nice today. To yourself. To someone you love. To someone you don't know. I hope it makes your day to choose to share positive energy in a world so full of negativity and pain.
I appreciate you! Thanks for reading.
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