K.I.N.D Consciousness...

"What does kindness mean to you?" It can be hard to really capture the essence of kindness in one type of action. And although we all might recognize a kindness when we see it, by how it feels, kindness itself is deeply shaped and formed by it's context- the context of relationship, of people, of space/environment, of the pace and tone of how our interactions play out.

We're not saying we have the true essence of kindness figured out, but we've tried to break it down with an acronym that we think highlights some important aspects of a "KIND consciousness" that'll help us spot or create a kind moment as it sweeps by:

(K)eep learning,

(I)ntentionally include others,

(N)urture relationships, &

(D)emonstrate

care.

Living in the city; means we all come from different walks of life, family dynamics, life experiences, etc. And so what may be kindness to one person in in one context, may not read quite as kind in a different context with another person. This, of course makes leading with kindness a little trickier than it initially seems. Our little acronym for K.I.N.D consciousness, is our reminder that kindness is not static- that it cannot be limited to one type of action, moment, or script of words. It is the ephemeral (short-lived) culmination of a lot of little things that come together in a moment to create a feeling.

K.I.N.D consciousness encourages us to keep a mindset that begins with being open to learning (and un-learning) the harm we unconsciously create in our blind spots. This is an invitation to always be open to seeing a new way; to being led in a new and more compassionate direction.

The open nature of K.I.N.D consciousness also says we should open up our awareness to the people around us by intentionally including others. The spirit of kindness learns how to make room for many, and to recognize this practice as a force for creating abundance, instead of a threat to resources. At the heart of K.I.N.D consciousness is an orientation to community and a practice of nurturing relationships. The challenge may be learning how to nurture relationships across class-lines, beyond our circles of comfort. The best way to go about doing this, we believe, is by practicing the mindfulness to not just think kind but to act kind, by intentionally demonstrating care.

Weaving care into every thought, action, moment, reflection and way of being with others (and especially people who we are new to meeting) is at its very essence, a practice of embodiment- of being present with and aware of how your felt sense influences how we show up in our everyday interactions and relationships with others.

Perhaps then, K.I.N.D consciousness is about learning how to be with yourself (openly, intentionally, with understanding and care) so that you can be with others in the same way.