“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate.”
— Kurt Vonnegut
In a world that tells you to be tough, I firmly believe that the opposite—softness—offers so much more. While toughness inspires you to be strong in the face of emotional, or even physical, difficulties, it also requires that you live in a state of denial and retribution.
Real Strength is Soft
Yes, I believe you do need to be strong in the face of challenging times, I also believe that your greatest strength comes from your softness. Your capacity to fully embrace emotional threats gives you insight and empathy. For, you cannot stir up the kind of strength that is both genuine and generous without fearfully facing your most threatening demons with a soft and vulnerable heart.
There is a story in the Bible where it talks about Pharaoh “hardening his heart” in resistance to Moses who wanted to free his people from slavery. The result of seven plagues was not pretty.
Matters of the Heart
How many times have you “hardened your heart” when it comes to matters of the heart, like family, friendships, or work? I know I sure am guilty of that kind of madness. It is so easy to toughen up and just say, “Screw it. I’ve had enough!” Yet, the better response is to “soften up” and say, “Hmm, I wonder if there is something going on inside of me that incites me to respond out of some kind of fear of getting hurt?”
The problem with being soft is that it often requires also being vulnerable. But that is not really a bad thing. In truth, most people appreciate a soft and vulnerable person because it actually demonstrates confidence, strength, and kindness.
Softness is about kindness, compassion, and empathy. Wouldn’t we all be a bit better off with a touch of softness?
Being Soft
Will Really Impact Your World
Photo courtesy of kasipat at istockphoto
