Gentleness is a Divine Trait-Daily Meditation 1.10.23

Today’s quotation:

Gentleness is a divine trait:  nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing so gentle as real strength.-Ralph Sockman

Today’s Meditation:

We tend to have a mistaken idea of what gentleness means.  Many of us think it’s a sign of weakness that gentle people are not as “strong” as people who refuse to show gentleness to others.  Gentleness, though, is a sign of a strength that surpasses mere physical strength–gentleness shows the stronger side of the human being when we’re willing to treat others gently.  It shows that we don’t need to show force to accomplish essential objectives; force is, ironically, a common sign of weakness, as the person who resorts to force often isn’t able to think of other ways of dealing with things.

The people I’ve witnessed being gentle with others have been more helpful in the long run than those who refuse to be gentle.  Gentleness, of course, is a long-term strategy, while the purpose of force is to create immediate, short-term change.  Gentleness is a sign of the presence of compassion, a sign of great respect for others:  people, animals, and plants alike.

Some will take advantage of your gentleness, but they aren’t our primary concern.  Our concern is the good we can do for others, and we want that good to last, don’t we?  If we’re not gentle, things can break–be the break physical, emotional, or spiritual.

I can think of a few times of danger and stress when gentleness may be the least practical approach, but those times come few and far between.  Our gentleness in our daily lives, though, can help humanity to create a kinder and gentler world–but it has to start with us.

Questions to consider:

Why do so many people equate gentleness with weakness?

What are some specific strategies for showing gentleness to others?

What positive results of gentleness have you witnessed in your life?

For further thought:

Gentleness means recognizing that our world is fragile, especially other people. It recognizes our own capacity to harm and chooses to be tender, soft-spoken, soft-hearted, and careful. When we are gentle, we touch the world in ways that protect and preserve it.  Being gentle doesn’t mean being weak; gentleness can be firm, even powerful. To behave in a gentle manner requires that we stay centered on our own values and strength — that we are active rather than reactive. Coming from this center, a gentle word or touch can channel our energy into healing or making peace. -unattributed, Wisdom Commons

If you missed yesterday’s Daily Meditation, you will find it here.