FOCUS: Be Kind DISCIPLINES: Personal Mastery, Systems Thinking, Mental Models "Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns." - Author Unknown THOUGHTS I always figured the message of the kindness-as-a-boomerang metaphor was that when you are kind to others they’ll be kind back, or somehow the universe will reward you with kindness on some other front. I now think it means that and more. The most immediate boomerang effect is this: when I am kind, I feel good, immediately. The very act of being kind is a kindness to myself. Rabbi Harold Kushner says it like this: When you carry out acts of kindness, you get a wonderful feeling inside. It is as though something inside the body responds and says, ‘Yes, this is how I ought to feel.’ TRY IT Think of someone with whom you are either angry or annoyed. Do one kind thing for that person or think one kind thought about that person. The person doesn’t even have to know about your kindness for it to have value. Just notice how you feel about yourself and how your feelings toward him/her soften. (This also works when the person with whom you are angry or annoyed is yourself…an itty bitty boomerang.) THE POWER OF KINDNESS Mary Lou Cook is a wise, 88 year old dynamo from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has created what she calls the MLC World Bracelet, a band of black surgical silicone with the word KINDNESS written on it in white letters in 17 languages. She asks people to wear the bracelet if they believe, as she does, that KINDNESS is the key to world healing and peace. My friend Jackie sent me a bracelet and I’ve been wearing it. It’s a great reminder. The different words for kindness are very beautiful! One side reads: Rahama Arabic Ahimsa Hindi Kindness English Gentillesse French Ukarimo Swahili Gentilezza Itialian Zhang Ning Chinese Shinsetsu Japanese Jo'ba Navajo Second side Reads: Chinjul Korean TamLongView Vietnamese Bomdade Portugese Dobrota Russian Gute German Amabilidad Spanish Chesed Hebrew Semba Thangbu Tibetan Consider the enormous power in this: Something as small as being kind can result in our feeling good, helping others, healing ourselves and others, and contributing to world peace. Someone once said, “Kindness is the greatest wisdom.” And I think it’s true. Equally as important, Willie Davis said, “If you step on people in this life, you’re going to come back as a cockroach.” COACHING TIPS Be kind to people you love. Be kind to strangers. Be kind to yourself. Order yourself a Kindness bracelet from www.worldbracelet.org. Enjoy the boomerang power of kindness and watch the ripples. INVITATIONS Please join me for a 45-minute telegathering to explore the topic of being kind. Call Tuesday, January 30th at noon Eastern (11:00 a.m. Central, 10:00 a.m. MT, 9:00 a.m. Pacific) 1-985-425-2620 X925. No need to register…just call at that time! In the last Fresh Views, I invited you to read excerpts from our new book, Liberating Greatness, the Whole Brain Guide to an Extraordinary Life, but the link did not work. Here it is again ,and I hope you’ll visit the site and get a taste of this book at www.LiberatingGreatness.com. Reach me: 1-888-907-HOPE (4673)or e-mail sharon@hopellc.com. I am a personal and executive coach and would be happy to offer you a complimentary coaching session by phone. Each month FRESH VIEWS focuses on a single topic, relates it to one of the five disciplines of a learning community, and offers a coaching tip and a follow-up telegathering. Please forward it to friends and colleagues. My purpose in writing FRESH VIEWS is to nurture, prod and encourage readers to think and talk about these topics with their families, friends and colleagues. Mine is only one view. Multiple conversations may deliver us to insights only hinted at here. Such a process sustains the vitality of learning relationships, learning families, learning organizations and learning communities. Sharon Eakes | 720 Maple Lane | Sewickley, PA 15143