Be Kind

My philosophy is simply kindness.

(Dalai Lama)

Great knowledge sees all in one.

(Chuang Tzu)

Be kind to crawling caterpillars on damp grass,

to scurrying cockroaches and sharp hornets.

Be kind to thistles, thorns, and stubborn dandelions,

to mangy dogs abandoned and flea-infested alley cats.

Oh, be kind to all croaking, creeping, leaping, stinging creatures,

all sticky, prickly plants, all slimy snakes and leeches.

Be kind to weary teachers and truculent students,

to boastful quarterbacks with pornographic pictures,

to loud-mouthed in-laws and alcoholic aunts,

to beer-drinking deer hunters with big hairy bellies,

to sweating go-go dancers with fixed smiles,

to surly cabbies and fat clumsy nurses.

Be kind to haggard addicts and cunning con-men,

to demented killers in post offices

and terrorist fanatics with suitcases.

Thieving, cheating, killing humans are all human.

Look deep. Crude is surface.

Have patience. Sinners in time are saints.

Have faith. Cruelty yields to kindness.

Watch for hidden wild and willing angels.

All are kin. Be kind.

∞