In a world increasingly overshadowed by division and hostility, the notion that compassion knows no limit and kindness has no enemy could serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
You have a true gift with words. I love the sentiment on the sign that you shared with us: Compassion has no limit, kindness has no enemy. You say that few will see it, and fewer read it, but you have just sent it around the world! 🥰
Thank you, Jean. I didn't see it this way yet, but it's an interesting thought how a sign in a local garden at the quiet end of small town is now read by thousands of people all over the world. A kind of butterfly effect!
Jean, you are so right. It is lovely, as are all the bits from Anne Frank’s Diary. A quick morning walk around a sleepy village and a wondrous quotation on what looks like a piece of slate. 😊🕊️
In a world that lives like a fist, compassion is no more than walking with your hands open. Our world today feels like an angry fist with no room for kindness. Yet, when I walk, I do not walk with closed fists, I walk with my hands open -- to the beauty that surrounds me -- and to the light I am always chasing.
Like the Pilgrim analogy, you changed your course, were open to your surroundings and found compassion along the path.
Kindness for me changes everything. My heart like my fists open and it becomes the only thing that truly matters. Thanks for the lesson, Alex.
“In a world that can feel so cruel…let’s choose to be kind…”
However, the kindness of many people is done with the expectation of receiving attention and being praised for good deeds. Not because they are capable of touching the fragility of others with compassion, not because they understand the silence of someone’s pain, or because they are capable of feeling care and concern in simples gestures. They are always wandering about the reasons or making assumptions, but open to receiving. Even when faced with unexpected heartwarming sparkles they only feel the complacency of obliged reciprocity.
We shouldn't need examples of forgiving and brave souls or milestones on the way, but just remember that every gentle awakening of the dawn or each dormant stillness of the dusk must be a time for everyone to feel embraced by the beauty of things.
Love this: "just remember that every gentle awakening of the dawn or each dormant stillness of the dusk must be a time for everyone to feel embraced by the beauty of things." I agree, both are moments to be embraced by beauty, although for me, the evening and morning moments are not similar experiences. The evening, just before falling asleep, is for me mostly one of reflection and positive memories, often in de form of a journey. Waking up is also about embracing beauty, but more in a forward looking manner, as in: let's embrace this morning's beautiful moments as a start of a wonderful day.
There are no similarities in the uniqueness of each moment. Just the touchable sense between what can be done and what has been achieved. And there, is the beauty of making choices.
You are so right, Alex, to remind that in our world, kindness and empathy are increasingly important values.
The warm sunlight of your morning soothes the heart and mind…
Like the goodness and hope of Anne Franck, in a world full of trials and adversities, brings us such a deep light of human warmth.
To overcome the individualism, the amnesia, the trials that our world forcefully conveys and seeks to impose on us... It would be necessary in the same way, of benevolence, of empathy and also the conviction and the personal hope that these values lead us on the true path of the life.
This thought from Albert Einstein can perhaps also help to think about personal aspirations :
“The ideals that guided my path and gave me the courage to face life day after day...were kindness, beauty and truth »
Thank you very much Alex for this tribute, so full of sensitivity, to Anne Franck, to her courage and her values for a better world.
That’s beautiful. Thank you Danielle. I didn’t know this Einstein quote but I like it, especially the feeling of understanding something from Einstein since there is so much in his thinking that’s too complicated for me. Such a pity that in the US the word truth is now politicized by those who have a complete disregard for the truth. I still love the search for truth and facts. And like facts, there is no alternative truth.
You have a true gift with words. I love the sentiment on the sign that you shared with us: Compassion has no limit, kindness has no enemy. You say that few will see it, and fewer read it, but you have just sent it around the world! 🥰
Thank you, Jean. I didn't see it this way yet, but it's an interesting thought how a sign in a local garden at the quiet end of small town is now read by thousands of people all over the world. A kind of butterfly effect!
Jean, you are so right. It is lovely, as are all the bits from Anne Frank’s Diary. A quick morning walk around a sleepy village and a wondrous quotation on what looks like a piece of slate. 😊🕊️
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make”
—Jane Goodall
A beautiful reflection, in words and images. 🙏
She's such an inspiration too!
In a world that lives like a fist, compassion is no more than walking with your hands open. Our world today feels like an angry fist with no room for kindness. Yet, when I walk, I do not walk with closed fists, I walk with my hands open -- to the beauty that surrounds me -- and to the light I am always chasing.
Like the Pilgrim analogy, you changed your course, were open to your surroundings and found compassion along the path.
Kindness for me changes everything. My heart like my fists open and it becomes the only thing that truly matters. Thanks for the lesson, Alex.
Beautifully worded Sharon, and so true :-)
“In a world that can feel so cruel…let’s choose to be kind…”
However, the kindness of many people is done with the expectation of receiving attention and being praised for good deeds. Not because they are capable of touching the fragility of others with compassion, not because they understand the silence of someone’s pain, or because they are capable of feeling care and concern in simples gestures. They are always wandering about the reasons or making assumptions, but open to receiving. Even when faced with unexpected heartwarming sparkles they only feel the complacency of obliged reciprocity.
We shouldn't need examples of forgiving and brave souls or milestones on the way, but just remember that every gentle awakening of the dawn or each dormant stillness of the dusk must be a time for everyone to feel embraced by the beauty of things.
Flowers come in so many colours…
Love this: "just remember that every gentle awakening of the dawn or each dormant stillness of the dusk must be a time for everyone to feel embraced by the beauty of things." I agree, both are moments to be embraced by beauty, although for me, the evening and morning moments are not similar experiences. The evening, just before falling asleep, is for me mostly one of reflection and positive memories, often in de form of a journey. Waking up is also about embracing beauty, but more in a forward looking manner, as in: let's embrace this morning's beautiful moments as a start of a wonderful day.
There are no similarities in the uniqueness of each moment. Just the touchable sense between what can be done and what has been achieved. And there, is the beauty of making choices.
Nice thought, the beauty of making choices.
Alexander. Thank you!
🪶 📜 💯 🤗
This is so beautiful. And moving. Thank you 🌻
Thank you Rena :-)
You are so right, Alex, to remind that in our world, kindness and empathy are increasingly important values.
The warm sunlight of your morning soothes the heart and mind…
Like the goodness and hope of Anne Franck, in a world full of trials and adversities, brings us such a deep light of human warmth.
To overcome the individualism, the amnesia, the trials that our world forcefully conveys and seeks to impose on us... It would be necessary in the same way, of benevolence, of empathy and also the conviction and the personal hope that these values lead us on the true path of the life.
This thought from Albert Einstein can perhaps also help to think about personal aspirations :
“The ideals that guided my path and gave me the courage to face life day after day...were kindness, beauty and truth »
Thank you very much Alex for this tribute, so full of sensitivity, to Anne Franck, to her courage and her values for a better world.
🙋♀️🙏
That’s beautiful. Thank you Danielle. I didn’t know this Einstein quote but I like it, especially the feeling of understanding something from Einstein since there is so much in his thinking that’s too complicated for me. Such a pity that in the US the word truth is now politicized by those who have a complete disregard for the truth. I still love the search for truth and facts. And like facts, there is no alternative truth.
Thanks very much, Alex 🙏😊
The word “truth” used by politicians or men of power is too often reduced to “the truth of their own ambitions”.
I completely share your opinion.
Facts and observations allow us to sort things out.
And for me too !! 😉 Albert Einstein remains a mystery …
But this thought is taken from a more "personal" book that he wrote in 1934 : "How I see the world".