Be Kind. Little Else Matters.

A simple reminder: Be kind. Little else matters.

As you move through the world, be kind to all beings, including yourself.

In the super-ocean of information on the Internet, it’s easy to get lost in endless details.

Endless articles explaining how to “maximize performance,” “optimize yourself,” “manifest abundance.” Endless op-eds on the latest political drama. Endless news stories, celebrity gossip, career advice, think pieces, outraged tweets, etc.

It’s enough to make your head spin. Life can begin to feel overwhelming and incomprehensible.

In the midst of this, it is useful and clarifying to return to fundamentals. Bedrock wisdom. Like this:

If you did nothing but practice kindness your entire life—if you knew almost nothing else—that would be okay.

More than okay: wonderful.

That’s how powerful kindness is.

Kindness is a fundamental expression of wisdom. A pure expression of love and understanding.

If someone lacks kindness, all other positive qualities they may have are overshadowed by whatever is blocking the love that wishes to flow through them.

When we are clear, realized, and connected to Nature, kindness flows effortlessly.

It becomes self-evident that all beings are caught up in this same predicament-opportunity of Reality, and that inevitably all beings experience substantial pain as a result.

As such, one sees that one does not wish to contribute to suffering; there is already plenty to go around.

It is much more enjoyable and healing to share love, laughter, friendly conversation, warm eye contact, smiles, hugs.

Be kind. Little else matters.

You might think, “This is too simplistic. There’s much more we need to do and worry about.”

That’s true, to some extent. Kindness won’t solve all our problems.

Yet without kindness, we have nothing.

Without kindness, we’re left with a cold, terrifying world—no matter how many clever ideologies and technological marvels we erect.

Kindness fundamentally underlies everything good that we create.

No matter how skilled a professional you might be, if your work is not done in a spirit of kindness, it will feel hollow to you and those you seek to help.

No matter how “successful” you become, you will feel dead inside if you lack kindness.

The vital importance of kindness—and the ripple effects of simple acts of kindness—should not be underestimated.

If this seems trite, recognize that often the most perennial, proven wisdom is disguised as cliché.

Kindness is a kind of existential keystone. It warms the hearts of those who carry it and those around them.

It is a path to wisdom, and no one can truly be called wise if they lack it.

Let kindness be your anchor.

In the midst of all the hysteria and endless chatter swirling around in the modern age, let kindness be your anchor.

If you feel dizzy, remember the simple wisdom of kindness. If you forget most everything you know apart from kindness, it will serve you well.

Each of us has a role to play in this chapter of humanity’s story. A part that only we can play.

Focus on playing your part well, appreciate, remember to be kind.

And let the rest go.

I wish you peace.

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”

— Dalai Lama

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