Tags
200 words, Abraham Joshua Heschel, compassion, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, generosity, kindness
“When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.” ~ Abraham Joshua Heschel
The picture above was given to me recently by Tersia Burger . It reminds me how important kindness is…
~
He’s a hard man. He calls people out on the mat. When he thinks he’s right, nothing will change his mind. When he has a goal in his head, you best help him get there or move out of his way because he might just stomp all over you to ensure it gets done.
Sometimes he’s mean. Sometimes he’s a bully. He is tenacious and his goal will be met and you’ll go along even if he has to drag you kicking and screaming. I didn’t like him – I couldn’t stand him when I first met him…
…then one day I saw him out the window. He was walking alone down the street. I couldn’t figure out why he was looking at the parked cars. It wasn’t the cars. It was the parking meters. And he was topping up the meters about to expire!
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
What are you doing when no one’s watching?
talktodiana 
Great story – we never really know, do we? I am not nearly so ambitious when no one is looking 🙂
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haha I find that hard to believe!
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🙂
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I’ve come to recognize that kindness is probably not a quality I have in great measure. It’s a quality I do admire, although I revere intelligence and capability more. I’ve always been of the opinion that, when it comes to getting something done, I’ll take capability over niceness every time. And I honestly think that, forced to choose kindness OR intelligence, I can do without the kindness more than I can do without the intelligence, so I guess I disagree with Heschel there.
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capability is not exclusive of kindness LOL
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No, of course not! As that commercial says, “Both is better!”
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I am probably being cynical here but my thoughts were that maybe he has a split honour code and the parking meter action was his way of honoring his ‘good citizen’ code; whereas the code he acts by in people situations is as brute-commander.
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He actually has a pretty good heart but a way different personality than me! 🙂
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We tend to place judgement on people but, fail to realize the judgement is usually short sighted, and one dimensional. We forget people are multi-faceted, and we usually never see the entire person for what they are at the core, and make a quick judgement based on only a single action.
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That is definitely the case at times.
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I’m probably not quite following all of the nuances in the comments, but I think that I’d just take it at face value that he might be tough, but that he has some kindness in him when he puts money in meters.
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I tend to take things at face value too based on my own perceptions and the reasons I do things. If I were to plug meters as I walked down the street my motivation would probably be to do a ‘nice thing’, therefore when others do it, I assume they are doing a nice thing… 🙂
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Very interesting, that this chap would do that.
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isn’t it though… people and the things they do just facinate me. 🙂
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Diana, great post and it’s true, we just never know about what’s really going on with others. It’s too easy to make it up. Love that you know about the Enneagram; fabulous resource for learning and growth!!
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Yes it is! I’m a 7 with an 8 wing, how ’bout you?
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So cool, I rarely come across someone who knows about the Enneagram! I am a 6 with a 7 wing..hi neighbor! 🙂
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Well howdy! I found it useful many years ago in understanding a boss that I had. Our working relationship became much easier and both of us were way less frustrated!
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Howdy! I’ve read/studied it off and on for years..since I was in my 20’s – so helpful for me/myself and I, and of course significant relationships along the crazy paths of life and work! So good to know we connect on that.
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I liked this and I think there are many people just like that man hard on the outside but kind and soft on the inside………..
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I think so too Joanne
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i often wonder about kindness and pity.
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What do you wonder about it? The difference between them?
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I’m just odd 🙂
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I don’t think that’s an answer to my question! 😛
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maybe it’s a guy thing, but I admire kindness as one of the highest qualities in a person. However I loathe pity.
Go figure?
especially on the receiving end — a kindness I could accept, pity never.
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hmmm I might be a guy because I feel the same way!
I think I have mistaken kindness for pity at times. There may be a fine line between them in my mind…
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maybe it’s an aversion to needing pity…
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I was raised by proud german people and I struggle to receive anything that I think I should be (in my mind) providing for myself…
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yes, same here. of course what everyone needs is love, pity… sigh…
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Yes so true so why fight it hey?
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can’t not fight it ( sigh )
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fake it till you make it Bill. Say the words and smile! That’s what I do!
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yikes — that sounds like something else 🙂
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oh you master deferrer you!
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glad I’m not a fisherman baiting hooks 🙂
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Arhhhh – what a lovely post. Thank you
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Thank you Tersia. 🙂
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I tuck in peoples tags … you know hanging out of their clothes
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Oh I know…are you from Oklahoma per chance…to connect the dots check out this link! https://talktodiana.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/uh-oh/
😉
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I see .. and no not from Oklahoma …and I only have a push bike …. but do like the blues
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😉
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Thank you for the thought-provoking post. It reminded me of the saying that goes something like this: There is enough badness in the best of us, and enough goodness in the worst of us, that it behooves all of us to cut each other some slack.
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So true Russ! Thank you for your insight. 🙂
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I’m probably sobbing quietly in the corner 😉
Love your story, but I’d guess filling the meters has much to do with a sense of just/unjust.
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OMG – you’re so perceptive and astute – I bet you’re right! Oh and sorry about the sobbing in the corner thing. 🙂
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😉
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What are you doing when no one’s watching? I hope not something that might embarrass me…
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(smiling) yes I wonder that too!
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An interesting contrast this man you speak of. I have to believe that the kindness is the core … because as you say no one is watching. But it makes me ask where the kindness goes for the rest of the time? I think the answer must be that it is still there, but masked by some inner fears that require him to succeed, kindness be damned.
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He’s a very driven man for sure. Have you ever heard of the Enneagram personality test? He’s an 8. Often with 8’s something happened early on that caused them to snap and finally put their foot down.
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