Oh how incredibly poignant this quote is for me. I have had this idea in my head since a very young child that I could make a difference and change…well, pretty much anyone I wanted to.
You’re a bully? Come be my friend, I’ll teach you to be kinder.
You struggle with addiction? Come spend time with me, I can remind you of your worth.
You behave selfishly and unloving? Okay, I’ll show you how delightful generosity and love can be.
In some very wonderful cases, I have made a difference.
Has it happened every time? No. Did it bother me? TREMENDOUSLY.
I seem to keep learning this lesson on a regular basis, and I have been | s| l| o| w| l| y| learning to accept that fact. I want to help others, that’s my God given ability/talent/whatever you want to call it, and it is what makes me *tick*. My mother has reminded me of this on several occasions. Since I was in elementary school I have always gravitated towards people who might “need” me. Whether their parents were getting divorced, they lost a sibling, they had no friends at school, if they suffered in any way- I could sense it without ever hearing a word from their mouth and my heart was like a magnet to theirs. This is a beautiful thing, and sort-of bittersweet at the same time.
I want to soften people, make them see life at a different angle. I know that it is not my “job” or my responsibility, but I just cannot simply ignore what I feel so called upon to do. Unfortunately, not everyone I come across will be responsive to my desire to help. Some will even be angry, defensive, and completely cut me out of the equation.
It’s gonna hurt, but there is a lesson in this.
YOU, YOURSELF have the POWER to influence and INSPIRE others, but you CANNOT change them. But the most important part? Even if you cannot change their perspective, even if they battle you, or become angry and curse you, BE KIND TO THEM ANYWAY.
Why? Because you deserve PEACE in your heart.
♥Britt
paintopaper.wordpress.com 
For some people, a coping mechanism for pain is to try to bring others down. The expression “misery loves company” rings true for many people. I don’t necessarily feel that unkind people need kindness the most, but that people should be forgiven if they weren’t particularly kind to you on a given day. Most people deserve respect.
Since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to defend others. Whether I knew them or not. Whether I agreed with what they were doing or not. Since I have gotten older, I have learned to ‘temper’ that response, realizing that I don’t need to defend the guy walking down the street or the woman in pjs in the grocery store. I’m learning when to let me soft-hearted-ness out I guess. =)
a great point, i can’t say i m able to do that yet, but my mom and my hubby both can! =)
“you can not change them”, I couldn’t agree more. I have always stood by the golden rule of treat others how you want to be treated, you never know when your actions, your comments can change the way someone thinks, the way they act and how they continue on with their day…week…month…year or even their life. Kindness is amazing trait, and it’s contagious!
Great post. Great points. I am a big fan of the book A Course in Miracles. When I really had my “Aha!” moment with it it was when I realized and by realized I mean KNEW in my heart this truth: Life is all about forgiveness and true forgiveness happens when you realize there is nothing to forgive. Nobody is wrong, not even us. Everyone is just doing their best and everyone feels guilty. They either take on the guilt ad beat themselves up or they project it onto others. But this is all just an error in thinking. We’re all perfect divine creatures.
I truly love coming here every morning and reading your posts! They inspire me and make me have better days. I love “be kind, help them anyways”. The biggest thing that hurts me is how I am so nice to everyone and always kind. I never talk about anyone and treat people with respect. Then when I get treated like crap from people is when I just want to break down and I wonder how people can be so rude and hurtful!
Great post. Thank you for sharing, it was a great reminder.
I love that quote. I couldn’t agree more with you. Beautifully written and so inspiring!
All i have to say is SO true! I try to remember that everyone has a story. Good or bad – there’s a reason we are the way we are. The best response in every case is kindness.
Wonderful piece. “Kindness” and “peace” are two key elements of my personal philosophy, so I totally resonate with the points that you made. Kudos for writing and living this! ❤
~ lauriel
EyeForElegance.com
I wish htere were moe people like you in this world — it sure will make this a better place. But, I do believe at times we really have to realize that for all the good in our hearts, for all the peace we want, for all of the help we want to give to another, it may not be taken like this. Thus, the fine line is to make sure that there contempt, hate, misery, and simple bad ways do not affect the person you are. Don’t let them take an ounce of their negativity and transfer to you.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Love that quote so much – it’s so true!
SO much truth here. This too is something I struggle with. Why can’t people just be nice? Seems easy enough right?! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Love that last quote so true!
This is so so so true. I love this post. I am a fixer and I struggle with remembering that I can’t change people or their habits. Thank you!
i always remind myself of the saying ‘ hurt people hurt people’ it’s so true.. and although i would love to respond with kindness… man it seriously kills me inside!! i guess that’s the point though. i’m just so tired of people who like to take advantage of that though.
We are always so the same! I always have tried to focus not on changing people, but on increasing their awareness and killing them with kindness! You’re so right, being kind to them gives you so much peace in your heart, whereas reacting angrily hurts more
I love that quote. I wish everyone was nice sometimes, I always try to respond to people with kindness but sometimes they make it very hard 🙂
What a wonderful quote. It is so very true- you give feed negativity by giving it value.
I love your inspiring words & message. It is so true. Everyone needs to know their value and their worth in this world.
It’s not always easy been kind to people who hurt you or curse you but like you have learned to have peace in my heart and remain stead fast
Thank you for sharing this! You are so right. “Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.” So true. Our world really needs to practice being more kind!
I absolutely hate how right this is! hahah. Sometimes it would so much easier to be a bitch, but it’s such good advice.
ah… I struggle so much with this same thing. I, too, am a fixer, but when it doesn’t go right it momentarily breaks me. I’m learning, though. 😉 Thank you so much for this post. I love the quotes!
Perfect words. I find the less I invest in everyone else’s drama, the happier I am.
Definitely true – kill ’em with kindness!
Soooo true this post is awesome. Misery Loves Company and all you can do is kill them with kindness for sure!!! Less drama equals happiness!!
Your words are so powerful and they bring truth to every day life. Thank you for sharing, because really I believe that I can make a difference in someones life and inspire someone.
Great quote… and very true! 🙂