Golden Emptiness: Being Kindness Doesn’t Mean to Shine Yourself

 There comes a moment when you believe that being kind holds great value in making good choices about your attitude, but it doesn't necessarily mean you'll be appreciated.

 When I reflect on lessons from elementary school, my teacher said, "Commensalism is a relationship that doesn't give you any advantage but benefits the other party." This means that when you're kind to others, sometimes they don't see it as a significant gesture or a step toward helping them. They may simply perceive your actions as seeking pleasure for yourself (if I may assume).

 Carl Jung, in his Letters Vol. II pg. 515-516, stated, "You cannot apply kindness and understanding to others if you have not applied it to yourself."

 In this quote, the term "apply" means to embody or enact what you want to appreciate. When you want to embody "kindness" as a value but struggle to apply it to yourself because various barriers limit you, you end up neglecting to extend that kindness you appreciate. In essence, if someone does something kind for you that you view as an act of kindness, yet you're unable to reciprocate, it indicates a lack of understanding of why someone did something for you.

 So, why do I use the word "shine" in reference to appreciating kindness?

 Because that's how the Persona operates. The Persona seeks to project how a person acts in their role on stage. When someone is on stage, according to Jung, they have the opportunity to leave a definite impression on others. However, they also need to conceal aspects of themselves that they're not consciously aware of. By observing how others perceive them, they become aware of these unconscious elements. Recognizing these aspects of themselves allows them to lead a fulfilling life, according to Jung, and they achieve true wholeness by understanding themselves for who they are, rather than the persona they project. This process "shines" light on their psyche.

 However, sometimes it doesn't work as intended. When the persona is based on kindness toward others, it can lead to burdens in life. Feeling overlooked, one may be plagued by regrets because they don't receive any validation or feedback from others, let's call it "impact." This impact sometimes reveals people's true nature, reflecting their personal unconscious through memories or experiences. This awareness influences how they respond to similar behaviors or attitudes from others.

 For example, when people see elephants, they may commonly think "big," while others might find them "cute," or have different associations altogether.

 Similarly, when we form opinions about others, it creates a "complex" that influences our personal unconsciousness, affecting our reactions when they approach us.

 So, when someone shows kindness, it doesn't always make the recipient feel appreciated. It depends on the individual's personal connections.

 If you feel your kindness isn't understood, don't worry. Sometimes, it takes time or the absence of our presence for others to realize what they've lost in their lives.