Be an Invitation

Mark my words ... no one is obligated to be kind to you just because, nor is anyone entitled to kindness being bestowed upon them. Great philosophers and advocates of peace have proposed a noble argument that refutes my claim, suggesting that we should be kind even to our enemies in spite of their behavior against us. I do agree with this approach, but I live in Los Angeles, CA where simply being social can be equated to pulling teeth around strangers who deliberately cling to a self imposed sense of exclusivity that prevents them from being inviting. Please believe me when I say, I am able to identify the difference between being shy and being a closed person.

While we should all strive to take the high road and exude kindness at all times, kindness functions as a two way street. You must be and give kindness to receive and be surrounded by kindness.

In my social venturing, the volume of people I have encountered who behave based on the expectation that kindness will not be the first response to their invitation of friendship is mind boggling. As a result, they become conditioned to needing familiar people around them when they go out or they just avoid being social for fear of being rejected by those who are unfamiliar.

It is a damnable shame that closed people have such unnatural and undeserved influence over the socially harmonious norms of society. The concept of the "Mean Girls" clique is the perfect example that has even been adapted into a feature film, yet this concept is by no means gender specific. Those with beauty, popularity and privilege and many other gender, racial, or common interest groups self segregate themselves from the majority, forming closed social groups. I do not object to a person choosing to only surround themselves with similar, like minded people, but there is no excuse for being unkind to those who differ based on means or appearance, etc.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if these closed off people made a concerted effort to be welcoming? Can you imagine the empowerment, influence and collective good that would permeate the social landscape? It would be amazing; a metaphorical seasoning of culture and kindness on the stew of life. Unfortunately, too many people feel that being closed and unkind is worthier of esteem. 

Believe this: "There is no duty more obligatory than the repayment of kindness." - Cicero

Whatever your experience has been, you will expand your circle of friends and increase the quality of that circle if you exist as an invitation of kindness, believing that in doing so, kindness will be reciprocated. If it is not, then that person has saved you from making a poor choice in who to welcome into your life. As the old adage says, you are a reflection of the company you keep.

Be an invitation of kindness and prepare for your life to be enriched.