In light of some personal recent events I want to talk about the power of kindness, and more importantly sticking to that in light of any obstacles that may arise because of it. I know that sounds weird, what obstacles could there possibly be from kindness? Well, actually one of the most common are the way people treat you. I know a lot of people's caring nature can be taken advantage of and that is completely unacceptable.

Recently, someone very close to me had been seriously taken advantage of and it truly broke my heart. Not just because of this single event, but by the fact that this isn't the first time. This person, though very old school, is one of the most giving people I know. The type of person that would give their last dollar to you if you needed it and people know that. While some admire that generosity and fill their ears with sentiments of gratitude and admiration, others look at that as an opportunity to manipulate and exploit, no matter the cost.

Before I continue on the sentiment of being a generally good human being in spite of, I'm gonna direct the next paragraph or so to the users.

How dare you take advantage of kindness like that? You notice a truly loving soul and instead of being inspired by that and striving to be a truly content as that person is, your response is to milk them dry. You can't just take advantage of people like that. You can't just destroy people's livelihood. You never know what someone else is going through, the financial, emotional, or physical state they're in. You can be turning the one thing that gives them joy into another thing in the world that's against them. The worst part of it all is if you look, and I mean really look, it's the people closest to them that's doing the damage. That's what hurts the most, because if you can't trust those around you, who can you trust?

Now to the givers; I want you to be kind in spite of the truly shitty things people have done to you. I want you to show them what a true warrior looks like. No matter how many times someone steps on you, I want you to get up, brush yourself off and keep going. Help those who need to be helped, never let them see you get discouraged. You and the people that truly care for you will bathe in the blessings you are afforded, from the blessings you afforded others.

Let them look at you from a distance and regret all the things they missed out on because they wanted to take advantage. Let them witness you, the real you. Your love is your strength and your gifts are your armor. Wear them proudly.