We’re all intrinsically of the same substance. The fabric of the universe is just a coherent weave from the same threads that make our bodies. How much more absurd it becomes to believe that the universe, space, and time could possibly be infinite when all of us are finite.
- Janna Levin
I used to want to be kind. I used to rate kindness at the very top of my core values list, and I used to work tirelessly to be perceived as a kind person.
And then I began to realize how much I'd overindulge in kindness. I'd dole kindness out to everyone around me to the point of hurting myself—to everyone around me except myself.
I've written about this before, kindness has its limits. Compassion without convictions—or boundaries—leads to people-pleasing, self-sacrificing, and putting the feelings and needs of others over one's own.
"Boundaries keep our convictions safe. They protect our knowing—our truth, our deep wisdom—by not letting the judgmental or emotional self take over," I wrote in a previous newsletter.
"There is strength in compassion and softness in a boundary. After all, they're two sides of the same coin—two hands from the same body. When we lead with compassion, it's easy to hold a boundary. When we know our truth, it is simple to offer love."
So in case you need to hear it:
✨ You can still be a kind person and get angry sometimes.
✨ You can still be a kind person and express your frustration.
✨ You can still be a kind person and speak up.
✨ You can still be a kind person and argue, debate, or disagree.
✨ You can still be a kind person and not get along with everyone.
✨ You can still be a kind person and love people from afar.
✨ You can still be a kind person and create space with someone you love.
✨ You can still be a kind person and not be able to help everyone.
✨ You can still be a kind person and hurt someone's feelings.
✨ You can still be a kind person and not apologize.
✨ You can still be a kind person and hold a boundary.
✨ You can still be a kind person and say no.
✨ You can still be a kind person and…
Being kind doesn't mean you let people take advantage of your kindness. It doesn't mean that you are exclusively soft, gentle, passive, or agreeable. You are soft, gentle, passive, agreeable and strong, powerful, active, and assertive.
Being kind means being soft and strong—compassionate and confident, patient and powerful. It means having boundaries and not tolerating abuse of your empathy.
It means knowing that you are worthy of peace, you are worthy of space, and, most of all, you are worthy of your own strength.
I hope you have a beautiful week ahead. ✨
Yoga of movement ✨
We are back to our regularly scheduled programming this week!
Tuesday ✨ Rejuvenate 45 (book)
Saturday ✨ Yoga in the fields 60 *in person* (book or drop-in)
Sunday ✨ Sunday soul 75 (book)
Please try to sign up at least 3 hours before the start of class, and if you can't make it in real-time, you'll get the recording in your email.
I'm also available for private and corporate classes. I'm offering complimentary corporate classes to nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations. Reply to this email if you're interested!
Yoga of action ✨
I'm tithing 10% of my income from my online yoga classes to organizations that fight against white supremacy. Every month, I'll pick a new organization and highlight it below. If these organizations call to you, please consider contributing (no matter how small).
My September donation will go to The Anti-Racism Daily, a free, daily newsletter that reports on current events through an anti-racism lens and provides readers with clear action on what they can do to build a better future for all people. Every week this month, I'll highlight some actions and readings from the newsletter:
Learn how global warming disproportionately threatens working-class communities and communities of color
Learn how universities and other institutions make investments in companies that profit from oppression and exploitation
Divest from fossil fuels
Follow UC Divest
Sign the petition to end the University of California’s investment in fossil fuel and weapons companies
Tell your elected officials to divest public pension funds from fossil fuels
Have a suggested organization? Leave a comment to share.
Yoga of words ✨
Grab a pen, grab your journal. Have a seat somewhere comfortable. Close your eyes, take a breath in, and let it go. Your weekly writing prompt is below.
Write about your relationship with kindness. What does it mean to you to be a kind person? (10 minutes)
Feel free to share what you've written by clicking the link below. Of course, you’re also welcome to keep this practice as just yours.
Other musings ✨
What if people don't want a career? (Galaxy Brain)
I cannot give to you what I do not have (Instagram)
The new comedy of American decline (The Atlantic)
The healing art of harmonic vibrations (The New Yorker)
Trans autistic people use their whole bodies to express joy (them)
Sally Kempton on karma, relationships, and transformation (YouTube)
On repeat: Heybb by binki! (Spotify)
I'm here for you—for class, for advice, for anything that you need or would like to share. Always a phone call/text/DM/reply button away.
LBC ✨
P.S. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your friends! And if someone sent you this newsletter, you can subscribe below!