My heart sings when I see the quote from the Dalai Lama which says “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” I dance for joy. I see possibility. I see peace. And I’m spurred on to be kindness even more.

So is kindness a religion? To me, the simple answer is “yes”. I am definitely aligned with the Dalai Lama on this one, especially if you look at one definition of religion from Dictionary.com:

“a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.”

I’ve always been fascinated by different cultures. Their belief systems, cultural norms, history, everything. In fact, before I went and got all practical and adult, I dreamed of being a cultural anthropologist…traveling to exotic places, building understanding among cultures and peoples, learning different languages. That didn’t happen…I traveled the road of business and practicality for the next 30 years. However, I never lost my passion for encouraging others through word and deed (although sometimes you wouldn’t know it as I got lost on the byways of sadness, depression, and cynicism).

Even with my immersion in the world of business and family and divorces and, well, life, I continued to study and observe other cultures. And one thing I found is that all of them have kindness and respect in common. It may look different ways or only be extended to members of their own tribe or be called something else. And it is there.

Kindness crosses every barrier there is and is not illegal, immoral or otherwise “not allowed” in any culture I am aware of.

Regardless of evidence to the contrary (if you read the news reports you might not believe there is kindness anywhere!), there is kindness to be found…by the ton! And now is the time in our evolution to focus on it and make it a “religion” of unity and acceptance.

Why?

Because without it, our world is doomed to tear itself apart at the seams and come crashing down around our ears.

Although 50, I am, in many ways, still the bright eyed little girl of 5 who believed in goodness and kindness. The more I clear away the learned crap, take my machete to the overgrowth of negativity that has grown up around me, and step into acceptance, the more I realize I believe in the power of a religion called “kindness”.

It drives me. It is my passion. It is my belief that it is one of the lights that chases away the darkness.

And I believe it is possible to change our focus and see kindness in all its forms, small or large.

So how about you? Are you ready for a religion that unifies rather than separates and divides?

What say you?

Love and light, hugs and blessings
Jerilynne

“Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.”
Anne Frank