Who Remembers the Power Line "A Kinder, Gentler Nation"

Long before George Bush began talking about the power line kinder, and gentler nation, my personal stationery carried the reflection, "Live gently with yourself and others. People regularly respond to that thought by saying something like, "I wish I could live more gently!"

When George (H.W.) Bush ran for president he said he wanted "a kinder, gentler" nation. He said he would be the "education president" and the "environmental president." However, with respect to Iran, North Korea, and the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Bush administration foreign policy is in something of a shambles. That is the power line facts.

One way for us to learn the art of gentleness is to keep the word gentle or gently in our conscious mind, then practice and apply. Gentle, along with its synonyms like kind, considerate, patient, and tender, is easily lost in the hubpages of our demanding days. In the course of our normal schedules, the concept and content of gentleness rarely occurs to us.

As I was retraining myself to live gently, I put a business card size reading "gently" in my wallet, on the fridge, on my desk , in my journal and anywhere for as long as it is my space. Thus, each time I see the word, I remind myself that there is a different power line communication-- kinder, and gentler way for me to treat others and myself. Now, when I tune into negative self-talk or judgmental feelings toward myself or someone else, I ask, "Is this gentle?" Often, just that little nudge helps me move from a prickly to a soft place within myself.

Choose an evening when you can have some meditative time for yourself and allow your mind to roam back over the day or week. Were there times when you would like to have acted more gently on your keywords or adopted a gentler attitude? If so, replay those scenes as though you were already in the habit of walking gently in your world. Soak in the feelings you receive from making that change in your actions, communication, and responses.

Right now, we can make the commitment to being gentler in lifestyle and kinder in content. Living gently creates an aura of peace in our lives and those we associate ourselves. In addition, it is the comforter of support for us and for our relations. Try to live the power line, "A Kinder, Gentler Nation", be aware of it, settle in it.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful New Year!