This is not just wisdom; it is the ultimate field guide to building character. The core insight you've articulated is that Kindness is the hardest EVOLVE work, precisely because it costs you nothing to withhold, yet everything to practice.
The moment with the slow cashier is the true test of the GUIDE pillar. We are tempted to reduce people to functions, but true leadership is the discipline of seeing their full BEING—their complexity, their struggle—even when it inconveniences us. The self you build in those unobserved moments is the real asset. You cannot practice cruelty toward strangers and expect to maintain genuine connection with those you love. Kindness is the structural integrity of an integrated REALIZE life. Thank you for this essential truth.
Excellent truth and very well written. The object of life change certainly isn't wasted on me. It has gone very deep will be shared with others, committed to orayer and practiced daily immediately. Thank you! Love leaves our world a better place than we found it.
The objective to strive in the development of "good character" for the sole purpose of being a wholesome human being seems to have little to no appeal or relevance these days. The ego centric mantra of unbounded pleasures and gratifications is preeminent as an empathetic kindness for rearing and education of the child. Authorities on health and welfare emphasize that If the child is not encouraged and allowed to be unbounded in imagination and desires, the guardian exercises the greatest cruelty against humanity.
In The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith wrote: "Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely; or to be that thing which is the natural and proper object of love". This foundational principle highlights the human desire to be not only admired but also genuinely deserving of that admiration through virtuous and honorable conduct.
In essence, Smith argues that humans have an innate craving not just for external validation, but for the internal satisfaction of being genuinely good and deserving of respect. The pursuit of "loveliness" is therefore a lifelong process of self-improvement that ultimately benefits both the individual and society.
The drive to be lovely, rather than just loved, is a fundamental force that holds society together.
* Honesty and Trust: The virtuous person, by aspiring to be lovely, acts in a trustworthy manner, which is a crucial ingredient for a functional and civilized society.
* The Invisible Hand: This moral impulse is a complement to the "invisible hand" concept in Smith's Wealth of Nations. While economic self-interest drives markets, the moral desire to be lovely channels our self-interest toward socially beneficial and cooperative behavior.
Just starting my substack journey and this is just the type of post I wanted to read. Thank you - choose kindness!
Nice to learn the difference between performing kindness and practising kindness
Thank you, kindness is not hard.
Oh, au contraire, it is when one is all but drowning in impatience and any other human frailty...
I just don't understand the benefits to one's character in practicing 'kindness'...
This is not just wisdom; it is the ultimate field guide to building character. The core insight you've articulated is that Kindness is the hardest EVOLVE work, precisely because it costs you nothing to withhold, yet everything to practice.
The moment with the slow cashier is the true test of the GUIDE pillar. We are tempted to reduce people to functions, but true leadership is the discipline of seeing their full BEING—their complexity, their struggle—even when it inconveniences us. The self you build in those unobserved moments is the real asset. You cannot practice cruelty toward strangers and expect to maintain genuine connection with those you love. Kindness is the structural integrity of an integrated REALIZE life. Thank you for this essential truth.
Excellent truth and very well written. The object of life change certainly isn't wasted on me. It has gone very deep will be shared with others, committed to orayer and practiced daily immediately. Thank you! Love leaves our world a better place than we found it.
Such good reinforcement. I'm afraid our society often does see kindness as weakness where it truly is ultimate strength!
This was pure magic to my soul...thank you!!
A beautiful message. Thank you.
Very powerful commentary on practicing kindness in a world that can treat it as a sign of weakness and not strength
The objective to strive in the development of "good character" for the sole purpose of being a wholesome human being seems to have little to no appeal or relevance these days. The ego centric mantra of unbounded pleasures and gratifications is preeminent as an empathetic kindness for rearing and education of the child. Authorities on health and welfare emphasize that If the child is not encouraged and allowed to be unbounded in imagination and desires, the guardian exercises the greatest cruelty against humanity.
A voice to the silent stranger…is kindness
Silence to the strange voice…is kindness
In The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith wrote: "Man naturally desires, not only to be loved, but to be lovely; or to be that thing which is the natural and proper object of love". This foundational principle highlights the human desire to be not only admired but also genuinely deserving of that admiration through virtuous and honorable conduct.
In essence, Smith argues that humans have an innate craving not just for external validation, but for the internal satisfaction of being genuinely good and deserving of respect. The pursuit of "loveliness" is therefore a lifelong process of self-improvement that ultimately benefits both the individual and society.
The drive to be lovely, rather than just loved, is a fundamental force that holds society together.
* Honesty and Trust: The virtuous person, by aspiring to be lovely, acts in a trustworthy manner, which is a crucial ingredient for a functional and civilized society.
* The Invisible Hand: This moral impulse is a complement to the "invisible hand" concept in Smith's Wealth of Nations. While economic self-interest drives markets, the moral desire to be lovely channels our self-interest toward socially beneficial and cooperative behavior.
Thanks for this. Too many times we are wrapped up in our own thoughts and judgments.
Lovely post thank you this was beautifully written and received with gratitude. Wishing you a blessed day ☺️🩷☺️
Great reminder about how we manage our everyday relatuinshils can have a big impact on both other individuals and ourselves.
I’m in love with this entire post! I had to reread just to make sure it was registered in my soul.