A Spiritual Warrior: The Gentle Art Of Kindness
Hey Friends
A little long winded, still I just have to share
I had a wonderful experience here a few days ago, which I feel I just have to share with you. I was enjoying some down time, and so decided to roam the WA University corridors, just to see if there was someone I could help out. Wasn’t long before I happed on a new comer who did, let’s call her Lydia.
Now Lydia’s question was a relatively simple one, which she asked in an almost apologetic way. I could feel her hesitation, which I understood. I mean really, if you’ve never experienced building a website, WA can be a pretty intimidating place for some, to just jump in and ask for help.
And so I elaborated a bit on her question, knowing full well that the answer was in the “getting started” section. I also provided her the link to where it was located, adding “Kyle gives a more detailed explanation here :)”
Well I thought nothing more of it, until about 45 minutes later, when my in-box notified me that she’d left a comment, so I clicked on over.
To my surprise and delight, Lydia had left me a beautiful, heartwarming reply, and I’ll tell you about it after I make my point.
In a new and strange environment, how do you like to be treated?
Personally, I like to be made feel welcome,don’t you? Even though I’m quite thick skinned, I still prefer a spirit of conviviality. Anyway, I went on to read the two or three responses to her question, and what I read, well saddened me, as it was clear, at least to me, that Lydia also needed to feel safe.
Here are the responses basically as is:
“Do The Lessons,It’s in the getting started section”
Nothing before or after.
At WA, we are all teachers and Students
Kindness and Empathy goes a long way,and the goal is to keep people here and help them succeed. WA is multidimensional, sure the basic learning is how to build web sites, however WA is more than skin deep.
It’s also about teaching success, allowing a person to Self discover the Awesomeness they already have.
I’d noticed she hadn’t responded, nor clicked on the “Like” below the other few replies, however here’s the comment she left me.
“Thank you Joseph, I was beginning to feel really “stupid” for asking such a simple question, but you made me feel so comfortable :).
Thanks so much.
Blessings to you also
Lydia
I smiled, as it had made my day, and of course I took a few moments, and left her an Empowering reply.
So what’s my point?
As I’ve mentioned earlier, Kindness and Empathy goes a long way in helping others succeed. We should strive to treat others as we would family and friends. I remember first joining here, how I responded differently to certain people because of answers I received. Some (actually very few) I just forgot about, and even avoided them, while so many others, who reached out, created rapport, have become close friends, and even family here @ WA.
Well that’s just my shtick, and I’m shtickin' to it :)
Wishing everyone a great start to your week
Later Gators
Joseph
Beirut
Recent Comments
150
Aw such a great post bro and you are so right. I will always remember in the early days at WA not being able to get my head around the difference between a page and a post as the terms can sometimes be interchangeable. Apache aka Andre came to my rescue and I will never forget his lengthy and very helpful reply. It was so reassuring to know I was not completely stupid and we have been firm friends ever since. That is the beauty of this great community... have a great day my friend :-)
Sheesh, I hear you Lorna, there were times I was so shy to ask :)
Times change :)
So good to hear from you Sis, how's the new place coming along?
Huggs
J*
And you bro...
Just like Wealthy Affiliate - progress can be slow at times but getting there - and the end result is a dream come true... happy days! ;-)
Stupid doesn't belong anywhere near you Lorna you are an Angel of light and the many people you have helped with volunteering would certainly testify to that. I had forgotten about that support but glad you found some reassurance with it. I am even so grateful to have you amongst one of my great friends. YOU are an awesome spiritual warrior and soul that will continue to help many others along their pathway. Blessing dear friend.
Andre :) xoxo
About Andre, I followed him very early on in my WA Quest. I simply Love the guy, he's my Bro :)
Hey There Beirut
You are so right. I agree, kindness does not cost anything but it is worth more than money to the person receiving it. I can happily say that I have experienced allot of kindness here in WA.
All the best.
Michelle
I think it is actually brave of people to ask the 'simple' questions, because a lot of us don't like others to think we are 'dumb', but in fact often the question is one that many others want to ask and so the brave ones are doing a lot of people a favour. Karma will reward your kindness and understanding. (Does this situation also relate to your previous post - that some of the respondents not recognizing the reflection in the mirror.) Must be a day for philosophizing (big word for this time of the day). Cheers again Jill.
Hey Jill
No two different incidents, one was an online thinghy, the other was in the question and answer here at WA. That said, most of us who answer questions here, make a real effort in our replies:)
Have a great week Jill
Thanks for taking the time:)
Joseph
I often heard mentors saying the only stupid question is the question that you don't ask. Most of us feel that if it is something that look simple, we would rather try to solve it ourselves. The level as learning is so different from each other. Personally I need to go through the lesson a couple of time before understanding what it is trying to say and it wouldn't to nice to ask someone everytime I face a small problem.
I hear you Sadie, I'm much the same, I tend to need to see things from different angles
Have a wonderful week
Joseph
Hi Joseph, as someone once remarked: The only stupid, or dumb, question is the one you don't ask. No matter how much we may think we know, there is always something we don't. And the only way to find out? Asking questions.
Have a nice day Joseph, and stay safe my friend.
I totally agree, I'm so curious I can't help but ask questions, to the point of driving someone nuts! lol
Have a wonderful week Harry
Joseph
Have had those same experiences Joseph, sometimes it is so sad that someone can't take just 2 minutes of their valuable time to help another in distress, but then thankfully the majority of members do, that is the power within WA. Have a great week.
Right on Gordon, that's what makes WA so unique. Thanks for taking the time:)
Have a great week
J*
Nope, wish I had though :)
It was time consuming to find just the right ones that expressed.
You like them? :)
Joseph
I salute you Joseph. I have been trying to reply to unanswered questions the last couple weeks and I take to heart what you are saying. Funny though, some of the questions in here are just absolutely ridiculous and sadly I just move to the next one shaking my head. LoL!
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Thanks for the observation Joseph. It's one that's on my mind, even as a relative newcomer. I made a communication mistake today. I told a joke, but didn't word it well. It didn't come across as a joke after I reread it, and it wasn't received that way either. I'm okay with my mistake, but I'm sorry to have offended a fellow member even if not done intentionally. Geoff. The friendly fisherman. :)
Hey Geoff, we all do it, we re-read and go oops...
I made the same blunder yesterday, however I was lucky, I re-read just in time,and saw how it could be interpreted differently :( . I guess your week is off to a great start :)
Don't worry, we all know you're a great guy, and no harm was meant
Thanks for taking the time
Joseph