Gentleness / Sagmoedigheid

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“Gentleness, self-sacrifice and generosity are the exclusive possession of no one race or religion.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Thank you mahatma, that is so true. No, that is not a spelling error, mahatma actually means “great soul”, just to let you know! Phaedrus (in Plato’s work The Phaedrus), said that gentleness is the antidote for cruelty. Also true, so to be gentle is as important as being fair and kind and generous, and all the other positive attributes I discussed thus far. Sometimes, being gentle may be interpreted as having a lack of passion or strength. Not everything is always as it seems to be. Being gentle is not a sign of lacking any strength or passion, in fact, the passion and strength you are showing is an inward one and not an outward one, as the world would expect it to be. The strongest people are actually those who can interact with others through touch, speaking and showing love in a patient and caring manner. Being gentle is being able to hold someone without crushing them. Being a gentle person will require that you are careful and thoughtful in what you DO and SAY. You do not need to be overprotective, just always be thoughtful. Channel your strength and thoughts, and control your impulses by being as patient as you can be. Saint Francis de Sales, who showed exceptional gentleness in handling the religious divisions in his country during the early 17^th century will have the last say: “When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.”

To be gentle,
And to be kind,

Requires a good will,
And an open mind.

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“Sagmoedigheid, selfopoffering en vrygewigheid is nie die eksklusiewe besitting van ‘n enkele ras of religie nie.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Dankie mahatma, dit is so waar. Nee, ek het nie ‘n spelfout begaan nie, mahatma beteken inderdaad “groot siel”, dit net so terloops. Phaedrus (in Plato se werk The Phaedrus), sê dat sagmoedigheid die teëgif is vir wreedheid. Dit is ook waar, so om sagmoedig te wees is net so belangrik as wat dit is om regverdig, goedgesind, vrygewig en al die ander positiewe karaktertrekke te wees wat ons al tot dusver bespreek het. Soms mag sagmoedigheid geïnterpreteer word as ‘n gebrek aan krag en passie. Nie alles is egter wat dit voorgee om te wees nie. Om sagmoedig te wees is nie ‘n teken van swakheid of passieloosheid nie, inteendeel, die passie en krag wat jy wys is innerlik en nie uiterlik soos die wêreld andersinds van jou sou verwag het nie. Dit is inderdaad die sterkste mense wie interaksie met andere kan hê deur middel van aanraking, spraak en liefdevolheid in ‘n geduldige en besorgde wyse. Om sagmoedig te wees behels dat jy iemand sal vashou sonder om daardie persoon te verpletter deur jou omhelsing. Om sagmoedig te wees sal vereis dat jy versigtig sal wees in wat jy DOEN en in wat jy SÊ. Dit beteken nie dat jy nou oorbeskermend moet optree nie, wees net bedagsaam, sorgsaam… Kanaliseer jou krag en jou denke en beheer jou impulse deur so kalm te wees as wat jy kan wees, sodoende kan jy sagmoedigheid aankweek. Sint Francis de Sales, wie uitsonderlike sagmoedigheid getoon het tydens die religieuse konflik in sy landsgebied gedurende die vroeë 17^de eeu, sal die laaste woord gegun word: “Wanneer jy jouself in moeilike situasies en teenstrydighede bevind, moet nie probeer om daardie situasies en teenstrydighede te breek nie, buig dit eerder met sagmoedigheid en tyd.”

Om sagmoedig te wees,
verg ‘n ferm gees.

Wreedheid het geen plek waar sagmoedigheid woon,
So help my dat ons onmin van sy setel onttroon.

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