Dear Alex’s, I’m honoured that you have decided to write about this topic and you have given me much hope by realizing I already do pretty much everything on the “towards” (helpers) list! You have also given me much confidence in my conviction to raise compassionate children and advocate for peace. Lately, when I publicly spoke out about atrocities that my country has committed and continues to commit, I was accused of being “naive” and a “beautiful soul” (but in a derogative manner). Your post made me realize how important it is to stand up for our values and that advocating for compassion and acceptance is far from naive, but an act of bravery. I refuse to give up, and give in to despair as I have two daughters to raise, and I hope to raise them strong and compassionate. I loved this quote : “it’s not our job to toughen up our children to face a cruel and heartless world. It is our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless” Yes! And while this can sometimes feel a daunting job, it also gives my life much purpose. Thank you for this gift. Sending you much resilience towards this mighty job as a parent, writer, and human being. 🤗
Thank you so much for a warm feedback. I am genuinely happy that you have found some of my words helpful. Grounding yourself back to your core values is a key. And self-compassion is far from being "naive". As you said, it takes a lot of courage to be able to stand up for yourself and what you believe, and then, trying to raise your children accordingly. Self-compassion has that tender side, but also a fierce one. And that is what helps us to change the world, starting with ourselves and our children.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Imola. All the best to you 🤗
This is a very insightful and helpful article Alex. As a fellow HSP I can relate to all of it.
Whenever I feel hopeless at what’s going on in the world, I see where I can move out of that frozen overwhelmed place in small ways. I don’t completely close off to suffering, but I try to take my desire to do something into action around me. Being kind to the postman. Mopping the floor for my elderly mum. Being grateful for the signs of Spring. I don’t think that’s spiritual bypassing. I think it’s all I can do right here, right now.
Here is what Thich Nhat Hahn had to say, much more eloquently than I can:
“We often think of peace as the absence of war, that if powerful countries would reduce their weapon arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds- our own prejudices, fears and ignorance. Even if we transport all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the roots of bombs are still there, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we will make new bombs. To work for peace is to uproot war from ourselves and from the hearts of men and women.”
Thank you for your wise words Ali. Absolutely, stirring the pond and causing ripples is what we can do. I love that quote. It moved me deeply. Is that from a specific book?
Absolutely, fully agree. With mindfulness we can acknowledge and pay attention to them, with self compassion, we can validate ❤️ every feeling requires acknowledgement and validation x
Dear Alex’s, I’m honoured that you have decided to write about this topic and you have given me much hope by realizing I already do pretty much everything on the “towards” (helpers) list! You have also given me much confidence in my conviction to raise compassionate children and advocate for peace. Lately, when I publicly spoke out about atrocities that my country has committed and continues to commit, I was accused of being “naive” and a “beautiful soul” (but in a derogative manner). Your post made me realize how important it is to stand up for our values and that advocating for compassion and acceptance is far from naive, but an act of bravery. I refuse to give up, and give in to despair as I have two daughters to raise, and I hope to raise them strong and compassionate. I loved this quote : “it’s not our job to toughen up our children to face a cruel and heartless world. It is our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless” Yes! And while this can sometimes feel a daunting job, it also gives my life much purpose. Thank you for this gift. Sending you much resilience towards this mighty job as a parent, writer, and human being. 🤗
Dear Imola,
Thank you so much for a warm feedback. I am genuinely happy that you have found some of my words helpful. Grounding yourself back to your core values is a key. And self-compassion is far from being "naive". As you said, it takes a lot of courage to be able to stand up for yourself and what you believe, and then, trying to raise your children accordingly. Self-compassion has that tender side, but also a fierce one. And that is what helps us to change the world, starting with ourselves and our children.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Imola. All the best to you 🤗
This is a very insightful and helpful article Alex. As a fellow HSP I can relate to all of it.
Whenever I feel hopeless at what’s going on in the world, I see where I can move out of that frozen overwhelmed place in small ways. I don’t completely close off to suffering, but I try to take my desire to do something into action around me. Being kind to the postman. Mopping the floor for my elderly mum. Being grateful for the signs of Spring. I don’t think that’s spiritual bypassing. I think it’s all I can do right here, right now.
Here is what Thich Nhat Hahn had to say, much more eloquently than I can:
“We often think of peace as the absence of war, that if powerful countries would reduce their weapon arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds- our own prejudices, fears and ignorance. Even if we transport all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the roots of bombs are still there, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we will make new bombs. To work for peace is to uproot war from ourselves and from the hearts of men and women.”
Thank you for your wise words Ali. Absolutely, stirring the pond and causing ripples is what we can do. I love that quote. It moved me deeply. Is that from a specific book?
It’s from Living Buddha, Living Christ - but pretty much everything he says makes me stop and think and be more deeply.
Thank you Ali. I love book recommendations 📚!
I do think it’s important to validate the feelings of hopelessness and heartlessness in order to embrace and eventually transcend them. Thanks.
Absolutely, fully agree. With mindfulness we can acknowledge and pay attention to them, with self compassion, we can validate ❤️ every feeling requires acknowledgement and validation x