Kindness to My Enemies

Information

This group will discuss our shared quest for finding forgiveness and how being kind to our enemies can help us to feel good and grow.

Members: 11
Latest Activity: Apr. 16, 2009

Welcome from Julie Baker, Group Discussion Leader

I have been blessed with the opportunity to lead the Kindness to My Enemies discussion group, not because I am any kind of expert on this topic but because I need help with it. Isn't it funny how life always brings us EXACTLY what we need even before we know we need it?

I was raised in a family with chaos, abuse, and alcoholism. Since getting clean and sober myself many years ago, I've done a lot of work on healing those wounds. I have repaired a lot of relationships with family members but not all. And, through the years I've picked up a few more resentments, some damaged friendships, and an ex-husband who sometimes rents too much space in my head. I try to focus on cleaning my side of the street and praying for the objects of my resentment (my enemies, if you will) and wish for them all the wonderful things for myself. But, this Kindness Cure Project takes it a step further. The idea of targeting my "enemies" with acts of kindness is revolutionary and more than a little scary.

I hope this group will discuss and share our shared quest for finding forgiveness and how being kind to our enemies can help us to feel good and grow. If resentment is the poison that we feed to ourselves in an attempt to kill our enemies, maybe kindness to our enemies can be the gift we give to ourselves.

This is not my group (no one is paying me, after all). It is ours. If there is something you want to discuss, by all means start a discussion. If you're shy and want me to start the discussion, just send me a message. Welcome.

Discussion Forum

Thinking the Best instead of the Worst 2 Replies

Started by Julie M. Baker. Last reply by Craig Pittman Apr. 16, 2009.

Googling Forgiveness 2 Replies

Started by Julie M. Baker. Last reply by Craig Pittman Mar. 31, 2009.

Accepting Political Differences 1 Reply

Started by Julie M. Baker. Last reply by Craig Pittman Mar. 28, 2009.

Comment Wall

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Comment by CJ Scarlet on March 31, 2009 at 1:45pm: Hmmm. Don't see what the problem could be. You've got my email address correct. Try sending it to me at cjscarlet@earthlink.net or cj@healingtreefoundation.org. Please let me know if this doesn't work. I hope you're having a good day, despite the frustrations with the email. When technology doesn't behave for me, I quickly lose patience. Need to work on that. lol. Take care. Hugs, CJ

Comment by Craig Pittman on March 31, 2009 at 1:39pm: CJ I am about to reveal my glaring indadequacies in the realm of computers. Unable to cut and paste the word pad document containing a short story to the e-mail I discovered that I could include it as an attachment. BUT a notice box sprang up when I attempted to send it saying that cj@cjscarlet.com is not a valid e-address. Now I know I am overlooking something painfully simple here. Help please. lol
craighugs

Comment by CJ Scarlet on March 30, 2009 at 2:54pm: Thank you, Craig, for your good wishes. I can't wait to see your short story! Please send it to me at cj@cjscarlet.com. I'll read it right away and am certain I will enjoy it, as I always enjoy your posts. Let me know if you want to have a conversation about online publishing. Hope your day is fantastic! Hugs, CJ

Comment by Craig Pittman on March 30, 2009 at 1:11pm: I certainly do now CJ.
Ah yes my book. Well it continues to sit and gather dust in manuscript form at the publishers but I am ivestigating the path you opened for me for on-line publishing. I do have a copy of one of the short stories I wrote that I would be happy to share with you.
All good things to you this day my friend. craighugs

Comment by CJ Scarlet on March 28, 2009 at 1:22pm: Thank you so much, Craig! Thank you for reading my book and letting me know you enjoyed it. You have made me very happy. No doubt you know all the concepts I shared in the book, but it's nice to hear the same message in different voices. I'm still waiting to learn more about your book! Have a glorious day. Hugs, CJ

Comment by Craig Pittman on March 28, 2009 at 9:46am: Creative solutions are the way to go CJ. Circumstances never need arise that result in physical confrontation if we view ourselves and others in a kinder more compassionate way. Old horse can learn new tricks. I have discovered my inner ocean. Thanks so much for gifting the world with that book CJ.

Comment by CJ Scarlet on February 4, 2009 at 9:55pm: Whatever works! In close quarters it takes creative solutions to make it work for everyone. My son is in construction (HVAC actually) and loves it. I hope you're having a great day! CJ

Comment by Craig Pittman on February 4, 2009 at 12:10pm: It's true CJ that ego gets in the way of a lot of things.
I sure don't recommend this is a conflict resolution process. It is an observation and is enecdotal. When I used to be called south in the winter to help out with storm damage, the crews worked long hours in close proximity often days at a time. Occasionally personalities would conflict usually over something trivial and tempers would flair. When tensions reached a boiling point there would be some shoving and then often a brief fist fight. When one guy went down it was over. Often the one still standing would help the other one up and buy him a beer at the end of the day. The point is, the job got done and there never seemed to be any lingering hositility. Under the circumstances and conditions it is a sytem that appeared to work consistently. It worked as a safety valve. When working atop poles in adverse and often dangerous situations you had to be able to trust the rest of your crew and as barbaric as fighting may seem to many, as I say it, it seemed the lesser of two evils. Of course it really does fly in the face of the concept of kindness. Kindness is the way to go.

Comment by CJ Scarlet on February 3, 2009 at 1:33pm: You're right, Craig. It is easier said than done, and people can go from being your best friend to being your enemy in a matter of seconds. All they have to do is thwart us in some way that is important to us and BAM! they're on our bad list. It amazes me how quickly I've dropped friends and turned them into bitter enemies (not recently, thank goodness) merely because they wouldn't participate in my little drama. I've also had enemies become close friends. It's all about ego, I'm afraid, that pesky little devil. lol.

Comment by Craig Pittman on February 3, 2009 at 1:23pm: Being kind to one's enemies. Now this is a real challenge. I would think that part of the trick is not to develop enemies in the first place. It's always easier to maintain a bridge than to build one but circumstances have a way of challenging us so we need to develope the tools required to deal with each challenge in a positive way. Easier said than done to be sure.