– Thomas Merton
As we journey through life, we all meet all sorts of people: some are kind, polite and cheerful, while others are perpetually angry, unreasonable and negative. Though it is certainly easier to be kind to people who are friendly and courteous, there’s not a whole lot of spiritual challenge in that. Indeed, stretching ourselves to love the unlovable may be the only way to expand our heart’s capacity for love. Perhaps this is why life sends us so many opportunities to deal with difficult characters: so that we can learn how to stay in a high vibration despite others’ negativity, and can learn how to keep our hearts open even when we feel mistreated, abused or attacked. When people behave badly, we are wise to keep in mind that we behave kindly towards others not because they all treat us as we wish to be treated, but simply because we are kind people ourselves.