Loving Nicely
It’s easier to be nice than to love people.
It’s easier to do kind favours that cause people to like us than to love enough to refuse helping someone fulfil his perceived need. Likeability works to our advantage.
It’s easier to remain silent without pointing out someone else’s faults than to love enough to speak with honesty and directness into a person’s life. Diplomacy works to our advantage.
It’s easier to just accept others and remain blind to areas of their lives that need improvement than to love enough to take responsibility for their personal growth. Superficiality works to our advantage.
Niceness, diplomacy, friendliness, and helpfulness can be the most deceitful ways of being selfish. Loving is never that easy, because truly and deeply loving others can sometimes be the most hideously offensive thing to do.
The two often look alike, but one seeks the wellbeing of the self whilst the other seeks the wellbeing of the neighbour. Are you loving or just being nice?
Comments (3)
SK,
I really like this reflection. This is so true. It is easier to be nice than to love. Who will know the difference anyway...we do, and God.
Posted by Alex Tang | March 9, 2007 3:35 AM
So well said.
It's also just as hard to be on the receiving end of that kind of real love.
Posted by winsome.one | March 10, 2007 3:25 AM
Sometimes being nice [ kindness ] may be the first step towards true loving. We need to earn our rights to be heard.
To winsome..
your comments makes me chuckle.
Posted by Luke Chan | March 10, 2007 10:27 AM