I finished the book. Nothing he says was any surprise to me at all; in fact I know he’s right.
While reading, though, I had so much stuff come up for me to deal with. It was almost overwhelming! Now I must collect the courage to do some apologizing to some people.
I really must thank you again for suggesting that book to me, so, thank you!
Thank you for this and so many other thoughtful essays that cover a plethora of topics. I look forward to your weekly emails, never knowing what theme or observation about human nature and society you will address. Your breadth and depth of knowledge make you a true scholar.
In my younger years, I was never a Robin Williams fan, but in my later years, I have watched several movies starring him. Despite myself, I have come away liking him more and more. This essay made me realize that perhaps it was the genuine kindness of the actor shown through his characters that has changed my opinion of him.
Personal responsibility is a common theme in your essays, This essay is a reminder that showing kindness is each individual's responsibility.
Jun 30, 2022·edited Jun 30, 2022Liked by Barry Brownstein
My favorite part : “Mistakes may call for correction, but Williams understood that they didn’t call for derision.“ . Correction is always kind when done without judgement and is extremely important to us as individuals and in society.
I feel like we’re living in a world where people are constantly expecting FALSE kindness. They often just want stuff, or for people to do things for them, or even for others to just take their bad feelings away.
The flipside then is people go out of their way to “be kind” to another, but they want thanks and recognition for doing so, or for the other to give in return.
The Williams story is an excellent example of real compassion.
I can’t help but cringe when I see someone write about kindness these days as it’s almost guaranteed to be the false type; but as usual, you’re the real deal Barry and are one of the few voices who speaks of the right, true meaning of these kinds of words. You’re like a Vernon Howard without the yelling (not that I’m bothered by his yelling!) :)
"...that allows us to choose between the voice that speaks for kindness and Love and the voice that speaks for our egoic selfishness."
I'm going to disagree just slightly in that I don't think of the two voices as either/or. It is essential, both for physical survival and mental health, to listen to and heed the voice of the ego. It guides us to stick up for ourselves when faced with unjust demands. It leads us to the self-respect and self-reliance which are necessary to have the excess resources, both tangible and psychological, which make charity to others possible.
"Smith didn’t invoke religion to construct his theory of the 'impartial spectator,' but many have other names for the 'still, small voice.'” I appreciate that you write these columns in a religion-neutral manner. I happen not to be a theist; my view is that man creates God, not the reverse, and I tend to see red whenever someone pompously and piously pronounces that only believers in God can be moral individuals.
Thanks for this very touching Robin Williams story and the loving qualities it highlights.
Another excellent article! It sure speaks to me, as I'm way too often guided by my own self-pitying, enlarged ego which obscures my view of others in need in this world. Claiming to be a Loner, I excuse my antisocial behavior. However, I know it's not the best way to live. Robin Williams was an excellent actor, and it's nice to know he lived a life of kindness as well. What a great role model! As you discuss, I am an "overthinker"; and we know where this usually leads us. I need to look OUT, rather than IN, to see the world and its inhabitants and to expand my horizons.
What Robin Williams Taught Us about Kindness
A man able to comfort others amid his own troubles... Respect!
A timely and thought provoking treasure.
We humans have such a capacity to love and to care and to make a significant difference every day in ways large and small.
Kindness helps us process emotions in a way no mind dulling substance ever will.
Gratitude to you for sharing ideas that can surely shift us into a greater state of awareness and kindness.
I finished the book. Nothing he says was any surprise to me at all; in fact I know he’s right.
While reading, though, I had so much stuff come up for me to deal with. It was almost overwhelming! Now I must collect the courage to do some apologizing to some people.
I really must thank you again for suggesting that book to me, so, thank you!
Thank you for this and so many other thoughtful essays that cover a plethora of topics. I look forward to your weekly emails, never knowing what theme or observation about human nature and society you will address. Your breadth and depth of knowledge make you a true scholar.
In my younger years, I was never a Robin Williams fan, but in my later years, I have watched several movies starring him. Despite myself, I have come away liking him more and more. This essay made me realize that perhaps it was the genuine kindness of the actor shown through his characters that has changed my opinion of him.
Personal responsibility is a common theme in your essays, This essay is a reminder that showing kindness is each individual's responsibility.
Thank you.
My favorite part : “Mistakes may call for correction, but Williams understood that they didn’t call for derision.“ . Correction is always kind when done without judgement and is extremely important to us as individuals and in society.
I feel like we’re living in a world where people are constantly expecting FALSE kindness. They often just want stuff, or for people to do things for them, or even for others to just take their bad feelings away.
The flipside then is people go out of their way to “be kind” to another, but they want thanks and recognition for doing so, or for the other to give in return.
The Williams story is an excellent example of real compassion.
I can’t help but cringe when I see someone write about kindness these days as it’s almost guaranteed to be the false type; but as usual, you’re the real deal Barry and are one of the few voices who speaks of the right, true meaning of these kinds of words. You’re like a Vernon Howard without the yelling (not that I’m bothered by his yelling!) :)
Thank you for sharing!
"...that allows us to choose between the voice that speaks for kindness and Love and the voice that speaks for our egoic selfishness."
I'm going to disagree just slightly in that I don't think of the two voices as either/or. It is essential, both for physical survival and mental health, to listen to and heed the voice of the ego. It guides us to stick up for ourselves when faced with unjust demands. It leads us to the self-respect and self-reliance which are necessary to have the excess resources, both tangible and psychological, which make charity to others possible.
"Smith didn’t invoke religion to construct his theory of the 'impartial spectator,' but many have other names for the 'still, small voice.'” I appreciate that you write these columns in a religion-neutral manner. I happen not to be a theist; my view is that man creates God, not the reverse, and I tend to see red whenever someone pompously and piously pronounces that only believers in God can be moral individuals.
Thanks for this very touching Robin Williams story and the loving qualities it highlights.
Another excellent article! It sure speaks to me, as I'm way too often guided by my own self-pitying, enlarged ego which obscures my view of others in need in this world. Claiming to be a Loner, I excuse my antisocial behavior. However, I know it's not the best way to live. Robin Williams was an excellent actor, and it's nice to know he lived a life of kindness as well. What a great role model! As you discuss, I am an "overthinker"; and we know where this usually leads us. I need to look OUT, rather than IN, to see the world and its inhabitants and to expand my horizons.