RootedSample

In this particular proverb, the writer, Solomon, was sharing a truth we can all get behind. Essentially, he was asserting that things go well in life for kind people. For those who are cruel? Not so much. This makes sense, right? Most of us would agree that those who treat others well should benefit from those actions.

If we’re being honest, nobody wants to see the cruelest, harshest, meanest people in our worlds see much benefit at all. But, while the truth of this verse is easy to get behind when we’re talking about other people, it’s a little more challenging when we apply it to the way we treat ourselves. We’ve likely never considered that the cruel things we say and think about ourselves have the potential to ruin us. We don’t benefit from the unkind, harsh way we speak to ourselves. We don’t see growth, satisfaction, or reward. But if we choose kindness? That would all change! If we rooted our view of ourselves in compassion and kindness, we’d likely see a benefit we never expected.

So, give it a try this week! Practice kindness to yourself. Run the thoughts and words through the filter of this proverb and ask yourself, “Is this cruel, or is this kind?”