Universal Loving-Kindness

Hello Classmates and Professor,

I have been going over these exercises and seeing if I can get to where they want me to be. Well, at first I was able to relax and free my mind from all negative thoughts that have been weighing me down at times. I have always been a person to wish others well and I like to see when others are happy and things are going there way. I always wish the best for others and try to help when I can. I don't like to see people suffer and I don't like seeing people unhealthy. I am sure we are all giving people at one point.

But, there is a limit to this loving-kindness when you end up surrounded by some messed people who like to take your kindness for weakness. You get those you blame you for the unhappiness and take it out on you. I say this because it is only so much you can take before you snap and end up saying a few choice words to some people. I give advice, I help if I can, and I will even give you a place to rest your head if needed. What I will not do is kiss ---and let you disrespect me.

I feel like I am being tested and some days I well take a deep breath and let things go. Sometimes I will walk away and put distance between myself and the person who is working on my nerves. I found myself meditating and trying to bring my mind to a stillness but I also find myself waiting to tell some to mediate on this. :) How can you flourish when there are so many people who won't be on your level? How do you make this exercise work when half the world is full of so much pain, anger, disappointments, messed up relationships, and so on and so. The list is long and most people or not born with common sense or have not learn it with life experiences.

It works when the people around you are open minded and can understand and see where you coming from. So, doing these exercise don't work for me unless I am alone and don't talk to anybody because when I do, Oh my goodness! they throw me off. Maybe it is just people that are around because I do better with strangers than the people I know. Funny but very true.