Mistaking kindness for weakness.
Service is a core value of mine and something that I work to implement in all facets of life. I’ve always believed this internally as well as demonstrated it in daily acts of service to those outside of myself. That does not mean, however, that anyone who knows me (or doesn’t) should ever mistake my kindness for weakness in my particular case. It is understandable in the first interaction with me why it may seem like I’m not paying attention as much as I actually am. I think anyone who’s truly observing would never make this type of misstep in judgment. But if someone is too self-involved to recognize the obvious, underestimation creates complications. This error in judgment is often made with people who are kind. That kindness is taken advantage of and seen as a weakness by certain individuals.
While it may be a nice thing to provide service to those around me, my internal gauge and system are calibrated around kindness, awareness, and an innate ability to know with certainty that the world does not revolve around me — it revolves around everyone. This rare thought process has been a point of contention with both very nice people that have a different reason outside of myself for being the way that they are as well as innately selfish people that believe that whatever they are a victim of is more important than my feelings and the feelings of others.
Expressing this is due to a conflict of interest that I’ve always had in this life. I’ve consistently observed a tension between the common selfishness of hoarding and a scarcity mindset of the majority that I’ve encountered in direct contrast to someone like my parents, my sister, and even myself who share in kindness, not weakness or lack of awareness. On a spectrum, the former generally exploit the latter mistaking their kindness for weakness and believing they’re gaining some advantage in the process.
Fairly recently I’ve resolved these many points of contention by learning how to Stay Tuned internally to how I feel. Not just in general terms, but very specifically in terms of finding synthesis with those that do not share my value system. This has brought me to a point where I can express my observations with objectivity, an overall understanding of that which I don’t understand (which is most things), and a place of acceptance. What I point out may not ever change or even improve regardless of my awareness, point of view on the matter, or (most importantly) my aspiration for things to be better. While I believe it’s a positive to be positive, it will never be a positive to project what I believe to be correct onto others, regardless of its efficacy, accuracy, and/or end result. Therefore, I share the declaration not to mistake kindness for weakness not only for my benefit but for anyone young enough in mind to be able to demonstrate the humility in their own life of taking a moment/few moments to deeply consider the point of view I’m bringing to the table.
