The beginning of Kindergarten was quite hectic. The kiddos were learning how to come to school and each day brought new, funny, adorable, and sometimes jaw dropping challenges. They were learning how to live together in their “school home”. As is everywhere, since no two people are alike, differences occur. My job was to give them skills to work with the differences and create a peaceful, loving environment in which they could learn. It worked because they bought into having a great class.
I am sorry to say I see way too much bickering on social media. Perhaps we need to learn how to live there too. You are either for unity or not. There is no middle ground. Just as in Kindergarten, we need to commit to live in peace. This isn’t everyone else’s job, it is mine and it is yours. What if everyone made the decision to rise above the noise and hate and commit to doing their best to be peaceful. That takes a lot of making sure “I” and “me” can defer sometimes. If someone writes something you don’t like, you have the power to assume that it wasn’t intentional. You should not assume intent. When you let your frustrations get ahead of you, you are losing your power and your joy and keeping the bucket of peace empty.
The kids would hit sometimes. When they exclaimed,”She hit me first!”, I would lovingly explain that they were both in trouble because hitting is wrong. Then we’d learn what to do instead of hit. Children are so much smarter than adults sometimes. They kept the goal in mind and did what was necessary to be kind to each other. It was simple.
What do you do instead of lashing out? The opposite of what you feel when you are frustrated. Be kind to someone. Help someone. Talk well of our country, neighborhood, school, marriage, children, instead of talking them down. Good things happen every day. Be grateful. Give praise in public and criticize in private. We follow what we focus on. (I read that somewhere – not me).
I truly believe we can do better. It is as easy as switching on a light. Pour out the positive. As far as it depends on you. Just Be Kind
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.