Inner Practice Series: Kind Words
Words are powerful.
Zen Master Dogen once said, “One should know that kind speech arises from kind mind, and kind mind from the seed of compassionate mind. One should ponder the fact that kind speech is not just praising the merit of others; it has the power to turn the destiny of the nation.”
I once noticed how a coworker was handling a complaining client and the air between them was a stifling tension that both sides were persistent about their point of views. Then the wise manager stepped in and simply with two kind words of “thank you” and the tension was melted down immediately and the minute details of the complaint was resolved amicably.
Kind words can be brief, but their echo goes on forever.
Practice: Once a day, think of someone close to you – a family member, a friend, a coworker – and give them a genuine compliment. The closer the person is to you, the better. The more specific the compliment, the better.
