A work friend once gave me a sticker that said
“Be Kind.”
On the back she wrote
“This made me think of you.“
I walked out the door of my last job with that sticker in hand. It touched my heart in a way that I hadn’t felt was present at work for a long time. Reflecting on those words, I realized that what was missing, and what was most important to me, was how I am treated and how I treat other people. Taking care of human beings, treating them with respect and dignity, trusting them to do their best, and above all, being kind toward them. Organizations are not necessarily structured to ensure that happens. Organizational leadership does not always care so much about it either.
With that realization, I have spent this past year exploring what I call the “Radical Ethics of Kindness.” A kindness ethic that can be used as the measuring stick for all that I do: all the actions I take in my thinking, speaking and behaving. It challenges me to do better in my day-to-day world. I’ve also found it gives me courage to take what I see as an ethical stand and it provides basic clarity for how I want to live my life: present and aware in every moment.
This theme will wind its way through many of my blog posts. Other virtues will find their way in as well. In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul said that the fruit of the spirit is a set of virtues: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” I grew up as a Catholic, and now practice and teach Buddhism as an ordained Dharma Teacher. The virtues and deep teachings of both spiritual traditions have found resonance in my heart and soul. I hope to offer some of what I have learned over the many years of my life to those who are interested in my writings.
“My Religion is Kindness”
-Kathleen Braza
nationally recognized
bereavement educator and counselor
1947-2025
nisi's corner 