Be Kind
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
This a bit of a bonus post, as this week’s newsletter was going to be a fiction piece. You can still find the short story here, as well as the link below. But I must offer you a word of warning, it isn’t something you’d typically see from me — it’s dark. But it also is an introduction to my pseudonym, Hank Cotton. All of my novels, and the corresponding short stories are written in the style of memoir, by Hank.
Trigger Warning: This fictional story contains Gun Violence and a Suggestive Theme that could be harmful to anyone who suffers from forms of PTSD, or is sensitive to such subjects. Explicit Language.
My Sweetheart and I attended the Georgia vs. Texas game with friends a few weeks ago. And always the writer, the above story came to life while waiting for the pregame Dawg Walk to begin. The Dawg Walk is where fans line the street to welcome the team as they arrive in buses and walk into the stadium. It’s a wonderful experience, unlike in my story, and I highly recommend attending if you are ever in Athens on game day.
Okay, so now for today’s essay. Here’s a Note I shared this week to kick things off.
I will not go into the incident that prompted this Note and subsequent post. Let’s just say that I find it difficult to understand why readers would speak negatively towards any writing that someone chose to share with them.
“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” - My Meme
I have rarely seen it happen here on Substack — though I'm sure it probably does. And believe it or not, I myself have yet to be criticized here. That probably has to do with the fact that I mostly stay away from the fringe stuff — you won’t find much on politics or religion, although I have written a few things on those subjects. I lost subscribers when I published People in Gaza are Starving, and also when I’ve referred to the faith I was raised in as, “Circumstantial Beliefs.”
I think that’s mostly to do with the fact that I seek to be very open-minded about such subjects, so I also attract others with similar attitudes. My feet are not planted firmly on either side of the isle — and I am always willing to change my opinion on a matter if a better view presents itself.
“Remember that to change your mind and to accept corrections are free acts too. The action is yours, based on your own will, your own decision—and your own mind.” -Marcus Aurelius
Alternate POV
One of the things I love about Substack is everyone’s willingness to look at things from other’s point-of-view. Not everyone seems to be stuck in the mud of singular opinion or perspective.
But if I’m being honest, I am bracing myself for a bit of blowback. Hank’s short story could definitely ruffle some feathers. And, if my Christmas essay continues in the path it’s headed, watch-out.
The thing is, this is my space to both work on my art — hone my craft, and to express and workout my thoughts and feelings on subjects that arise during my daily life. I am never preaching to you, or giving you advice. Just as Seneca said to his friend Lucillius, in one of his letters:
I am not such a hypocrite as to offer cures while I am lying in the same ward, as it were, conversing with you about our common aliment and sharing remedies. So listen to me as if I were talking to myself: I am letting you into my private room and giving myself instructions while you are standing by. - Seneca
We’ve all heard the Golden Rule, there is literally a version of it in every single major religious teaching that the world has ever known. Heck it’s probably the one thing that they all agree on!
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law of the Prophets.” -Jesus
The principle can also be seen in the Torah(Judaism), in the command to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
In the Hadith(Islam), there is a similar saying that, “None of you believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
In Buddhism it’s said, “Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”
In Hinduism it’s said, “Do not do to others that which, if done to you, would cause you pain.”
In Zoroastrianism it’s said, “Do not do to others what is harmful for yourself.”
And in Ancient Egypt it was found in the story of “The Eloquent Peasant“ (c. 1850 BCE), which states, “Do to the doer to make him do” or “Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do.”
It costs us nothing to Be Kind. And the rewards we ourselves gain from being kind to others, are multiplied exponentially. So if for no other reason, do it for yourself — because karma is real. And the energy that you put out into the world is exactly the same energy that will be returned to you.
Oh, and just one more thing — it all starts within. Remember to Be Kind to yourself first.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it and clicking that ❤ button, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Oh and if you’re an email reader, just hit reply—I want to hear from you too! What does the Golden Rule mean to you?
Don’t like commitments, but still want to support my writing? You can make a one-time contribution here.
Love the pen name, Hank! 😉 based on the TW, I was expecting something different from this post (and was pleasantly surprised my emotions didn’t have to go there). I understand losing subs to those topics. Glad you’re pushing through and writing a story even though it might be controversial (shouldn’t be, seems like we should all the on the same page on that one). Agree about the golden rule being the only thing all religions agree on (but with the exception that many apply it only to people who share similar characteristics, like worshipping the same god or having the same color skin or social class)
Great post MJ. It is so necessary to be kind. I love Plato’s message. He says, “Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own battles.” We should even be kind to the person who is unkind to us. That’s probably the hardest thing to do. It’s so much easier to block them, right. Be kind to unkind people because we don’t know what battles they’re fighting.