The challenge

“A part of kindness consists in loving some people more than they deserve.” —Joseph Joubert

It’s so easy to be nice to like-minded friends and others who are kind to us. Yet the real test of our character is how we treat the folks who aren’t members of our fan club — especially those who hurt us or disagree with our viewpoints.

I purchased the lawn sign in this photo because the message seemed like a breath of fresh air in our country’s contemptuous political climate. And I’m sorry to admit that, in the privacy of my home, I’ve said some nasty, judgmental things about others whose opinions differ from mine. I don’t always do an admirable job of practicing the respect or compassion that I wish everyone else would aspire to.

Regardless of what’s on the ballot or who’s running for office, kindness is a bipartisan choice we can make every day. ~CL

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