In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, compassion and kindness can be a beacon of hope, like a lighthouse in dark stormy weather when you can’t tell which way is up anymore. Compassion and Kindness can transform lives, heal wounds, and bring people together. Kindness has the power to break down barriers, to build bridges, and create a sense of belonging.
Brené Brown
Brené Brown reached a level of fame, when she gave her Ted Talk. Speaking of this radical idea of compassion, empathy, and vulnerability. It was and still is the antithesis of our social structure. It feels like the ending of all self preservation.
“Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity”
~ Brené Brown
The whole point to this is in knowing who we are and being comfortable in our own skin. Anything else, in my opinion, is toxic shame. Toxic shame will always hold us back. It is toxic shame that causes disconnect. Connection requires a level of knowing and being known. It means a level of nakedness. There is nothing more vulnerable then that.
“I am going to sit right here with you. You don’t have to say anything, explain anything.
I will be right here and when you are ready, I know a way out.”
Compassion is being present for another in their darkest moment. Kindness can create this sense of belonging while compassion calls us to sit beside another, to see their pain. And say to that person, “I am going to sit right here with you. You don’t have to say anything, explain anything. I will be right here. And when you are ready I know a way out”
Somewhere along the way, we encounter our true self amidst the chaos in this world.
It causes us to see others differently.
More importantly, for better or worse, we begin to see who we are.
Sarah-Jane Melnychuk 
Leave a comment