Just Be Nice Bro

(I think I’ll have to tackle this topic again another time when I can expand on some of the ideas. I feel like there are some thoughts that aren’t completely fleshed out, but I’ll definitely come back to it. Thanks for reading.)

While I was at lunch yesterday, the conversation came around to kindness and being good to each other. It started somewhere in the vicinity of certain people not having any perspective, where they’re born into a situation where they have all the money and physical things they could ever want and they’re just shitty people. And then you have the other side of the coin where someone grows up with adversity and learns how to be a human being. There are also countless variations in between these two examples, including rich people who aren’t total assholes and poor people that couldn’t get themselves out of the patterns set by their parents and friends.

Basically what we’re talking about here is being kind to your fellow man. Learning what it takes to coexist with everyone else here on the planet and understanding that there will always be the negative to make the positive shine, but if we could figure out how to minimize it, well that would be a great leap for mankind. The discussion drifted to different types of kindness and different motivations to be that way to others. The most obvious and prevalent source of false kindness, in my opinion, comes from religious people. They may very well be some of the most open, loving, sympathetic people on the planet; but why? They’re angling for a spot in Heaven. So it almost seems like bullshit because if there weren’t a ‘reward’, nothing at the end of the line, would you still be nice or would you be out for yours? And it’s interesting to note too, that a lot of people seem to need this type of system where there are rules/structure and meetings and guilt and whatever else, all so you get a better parking spot in Heaven.

I’m not a religious person. That system just doesn't resonate with me, but I also do not begrudge anyone their beliefs. I believe there is energy connecting all of us, and that if you put good energy into the universe, good energy will find it’s way back to you, and if you put shit into the universe, you’ll get shit right back. This idea works for me. I don’t see it as a reward system, though I suppose it could be argued that I would only be doing good deeds in order to have good deeds given back, but that’s just inaccurate. The fact of the matter is that as soon as I made the decision to change my goals and work everyday at something I love to do, it’s been easier to see the ‘good’ opportunities when they arise. If you’re open, you can see and catch things. If you aren’t, it’s much harder to see something wonderful when it’s right in front of you; or even worse, you see it as a burden instead of a gift.

It’s also more fun if everyone is doing well and is happy, so it’s an easy decision to help a friend who’s in a tight spot or to spend a little extra time and let someone blow off some steam if it helps him or her lighten their load. Giving good energy just feels better than giving out shit energy; it has little or nothing to do with the getting it back part. As a matter of fact, it’s almost as if you’re getting it back in that very moment. While you’re being kind and giving love, that exchange of energy is in the air and you are part of it. For me, being kind and wanting my friends to succeed in their endeavors and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt just FEELS better than doing it any other way. If anything, me being kind and generous is selfish, because I love the way it makes me feel to do something nice for someone. I love it when a friend reaches a goal. As I write this I heard that an awesome friend of mine finally got the green light on a project she’s been trying to nail for weeks. So stoked!!

There’s a lot of shitty things that exist in the world guys, but there’s just as many amazing things and we all hold a little of the power to shift the scales.