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What can I do as
Gentle Person?
Gentleness knows no
boundaries. It covers all cultures. It is expressed differently from one land to
another, yet it is the same. It does not require money or unique resources. It
only requires us. Our central tasks are to find ways that are authentic to each
of us within our particular culture.
When in doubt about what to do, ask
yourself a simple question: "What will help this person feel safe with me and
loved by me?" There is no black-and-white answer. The answer is in our hearts.
• It might be the priest in Japan who
smiles lovingly at the child who screams and curses words of hatred.
• It might be the teacher in the United
States who greets each child who enters the classroom with a warm smile and a
pat on the back.
• It might be the mother in Mexico who
starts a school for children with severe disabilities and makes sure that each
feels safe and loved.
• It might be the physician in Portugal
who sees to it that single pregnant mothers learn their own worth and that of
their infants.
• It might be the caregiver in an
institution in Denmark who gives tender hugs to a woman with autism.
• It might be the group home worker in
Canada who forms a care giving community and ensures that caregivers and those
who are supported feel companionship with each other.
• It might be the parents of sons and
daughters with life-stories of psychiatric hospitalizations forming an advocacy
group to bring about social change.
• It might be the militant in Brazil
living on the streets with abandoned children—teaching them to feel safe and
loved, to recognize injustice and justice, and sharing with them the valuesthey
need to bring about their own social change.
The simplest place to start is with
ourselves in our own homes and places of work. There is no big mystery. If we
see our own children as precious and needing to feel safe and loved, we can give
this gift to others. Start with your hands—a tool for making sure that our
children feel safe and loved. Start with your words—a tool to uplift and respect
others. Start with your eyes—a tool to express warmth and human connection.
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