Kindness is NOT weakness........

I shared a meme yesterday, I know shocking if you know me lol:) But sometimes they just hit in a more powerful way, and REALLY resonate, and this one did........"when the disrespect in the end was so loud, that the memories lost all value..." And gosh that is heavy right:(......and I wish it were not true....I wish we could Pollyanna it, and say well we had some great times.....or I can feel those good times, but in the end it was SO disrespectful that well.......that is so hard to do.....your logical brain can remember the beauty that once existed between you and another.....or at least seemed like it did......and maybe really did, who knows, I am so confused about all of that still........but then THAT END comes snuffing it out.......Like a giant tsunami wave, sweeping all the positive energy, and memories of grinning and laughter that you shared into the ocean, in one swift and powerful moment.....and if I am honest that is the toughest part.....having that betrayal wipe that slate clean.....preventing the story that could have lived in your heart forever.....tainting it.....Like that song "Tainted Love".....ruining the hue that it takes on......and when it hit me so powerfully yesterday and I shared, I thought again about my Achilles.....forever seeing the good in a person....and thinking about how my kindness has been taken advantage of, more than once.......and we always say that kindness is a weakness....but I don't believe it is.....being genuinely kind does affect how others treat you for sure.....both positively and negatively....maybe....people wanting to take advantage.....but I do not believe it is a weakness.....even if it opens you up to other's manipulation and darkness......because kindness just feels better:) Ugliness, hatred, vitriol, and mean spirited stuff, feels awful......I feel sorry when people have that as their default......I have cultivated positivity, gratitude, and kindness in my life, no question, but I also came in hardwired for those things.....no question......I can't take all the credit.......and I think some people come in hardwired for the opposite......I believe we can ALL shift our mindset, but it isn't easy.....and to take advantage of a person being kind to you, well.....that is pretty low......and we all have our limits with people.....I have reached my own when the situation called for it, but here is the thing.....even in the end, my kindness had its say......never resorting to ugly retribution......allowing that to color my response......expressing my hurt yes,......in no uncertain terms.....but not without kindness, and respect for the other person's dignity, even if they did not respect mine......and that my friends isn't weak.......it takes a great deal of strength, and restraint to not go low when somebody else does.....I have had this tested many times in my life......and I just won't sink.......I just won't......that is a momentary trap....saying something, or firing off a jab.....but then you have to live with it....and I would much rather exhibit self control, and get to live in my truth, staying true to who I am at my core, which is a kind and compassionate and loving person:) Truly, I mean that so sincerely......than let somebody win, and bring me out of myself. And let me also say, it isn't as if I have never felt that stuff either.....I am human lol:) I feel those icky and ugly things sometimes too.....but I choose to challenge them, and not let them win.....Kindness, the real kind.......requires strength not weakness......and I will always choose it, always...........Happy Thursday! :)