#On Kindness

[petaltexturedskies]

Mary Oliver, from "Dogfish" in New and Selected Poems

[europasage]

on kindness.

@shanastoryteller // @delepiphany on pinterest // @girlmostlikely // @anotherchocolate12 on tiktok // @frogus // @xotwodstarr on pinterest // the smiths, i know it's over

[akindplace]

To anyone who uses the unkindness of others as fuel for them to strive harder to be kind, as you hope to become someone you wished you had by your side when you were struggling, I hope you know you are a positive force in this world, and that this shines in so many ways. Please do something kind for you today too, for the younger version of you who would be so proud of who they become, because you persevered and rose above the indifference of others.

[yvesdot]

The corollary to "make bad art" is "let other people make bad art." And I mean individuals, not Marvel or Disney or whoever thinks they own stories nowadays. I mean, if you see a poem on the Internet and you think it is THE WORST CRINGE OF ALL TIME... just leave it. If some teen has written a Wattpad book you really hate, let it go. If you see a chain going around with everybody crapping on the same random artist they don't like online, don't reblog it. Ask yourself every time you're making fun of "bad art:" 1) is this really such a big deal? 2) is this in line with my ideals of allowing people to enjoy themselves making art which may not be "objectively" or "technically" sound? 3) am I making a positive impact by sharing this?

It's so difficult already to feel comfortable making and posting your own work online; just because someone's art is "cringey" or "boring" or whatever doesn't necessarily merit an online hate campaign. Please try to remember that the vast majority of people who "blow up" for this kind of stuff are the exact people we're trying to encourage: someone with an idea, and the confidence to execute it without worrying about being the best artist of all time. Especially when we're talking about teens, we have to let people make bad art. That's the only way we can do it ourselves.

[franzkafkagf]

give your sibling a hug, soak in the sun, read the book that‘s been on your nightstand for a bit too long, be nice to your bus driver & create art

[legohotel]

one thing that always gets me is when you watch someone try to throw something into a trash can from afar and they act like they’re playing basketball and then get that triumphant smile on their faces beaming right at you when they succeed bc they saw you cheering them on?? i really do love humans

[tqrxchi]

just some words i read recently,

[petaltexturedskies]

At night too, she puzzled the mystery of her desperate need of kindness. As other girls prayed for handsomeness in a lover, or for wealth, or for power, or for poetry, she had prayed fervently: let him be kind.

Anaïs Nin, A Spy in The House of Love

[akindplace]

You know that quote “you never know what someone’s going through, so be kind”? It works the other way too. If someone doesn’t really know what you’re struggling with or refuses to see it while completely invalidating you, please know that they don’t get to define your worth and their unkindness shows they’re not someone you should keep around. As hurtful as it is, their perception and opinions of you do not reflect the truth, and they don’t get to tell you how to live if they completely disregard the things you go through. I hope you find people who are supporting of you, who see you with compassion and understanding.

[beemintty]

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT ABOUT GOING TO HEAVEN!

let me explain:

Christianity is about following in Jesus's footsteps, following him and his example of living. it's not about the final destination. we do not follow him because we want to go to heaven. we do not follow him for that end reward. we follow him because this is how we live. Christianity is a way of living not just some assignment that we need an A+ on. the most important thing when being a Christian is how you live your life and how you share the word of God to other people. it's a lifestyle of kindness. of forgiveness. of love and compassion. we are Christians because Jesus devoted his life to making other peoples lives better. then he gave his life into making our lives better. so we must follow his lead and spend our lives making others feel loved.

we choose this life because it is the best way to live not because it is the best way to die.

[frothingatthemaw]

i think i want to be kind forever. i want people to remember me as good and kind. i hope if i can do one thing right that it’s to be kind and to love people how they wish to be loved.

[choobelette]

A kind stranger is not the blue moon but instead one of the numerous stars in the distant galaxies. Make eye contact through your telescope and smile. They’ll smile back.

She watered my plants for me while I was away. I walked her dogs when her health got bad. I didn't know her. I never will.

1. Small Kindess - Danusha Laméris / 2. The Book of Delights - Ross Gay / 3. Bodega Cat - Simone Johnson / 4. Commute - mine / 5. Welcome to Night Vale - Joseph Fink / 6. photo by Bernd Dittrich / 7. @viridianmasquerade / 8. Moomin (1990) / 9. Sesame Street

[nyxthedragon225]

Kindness is an inherent human trait, I think.

Ps, Kat, if you see this, I don't mind the peeking :]

[voicedwords]

PEACH YOGURT, Leela Raj-Sankar

[from-books-with-love]

Trust me when I say—be the person who cares. Because the world doesn't need any more carelessness, any more disregard; because there is nothing stronger than someone who continues to stay soft in a world that hasn't been kind to them.

Bianca Sparacino, The Strength in Our Scars.