• About Be Kind & Co
  • Contributors
  • Contact
  • Shop
Sunday, July 3, 2022
No Result
View All Result
BE KIND & CO
NEWSLETTER
Shop Now
BE KIND & CO
No Result
View All Result
BE KIND & CO
No Result
View All Result

What I Learned About Kindness After Years of Interviewing Prosecutors, Victims, and Perpetrators

Bethany JonesbyBethany Jones
September 30, 2020
in Inspiration
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Bees are my favorite insect. They are industrious, hard-working and community minded.  They are part magic, part weapon. Their feet are dusted with the spices of thousands of flowers and yet their stinger can cause great damage. Bees are a balance of beauty and pain. As a true crime producer,  I have to have a similar balance.

With years under my belt. I’ve worked with federal agencies, interviewed federal prosecutors, spoken to victims and the perpetrators. These stories are as important to tell as they are hard to live and dwell in when producing.  After spending years sitting with these stories I have learned that compassion, grace and kindness can all be practiced– if one begins to practice these qualities with themselves. 

One of my first prison interviews was in a high-level men’s prison hundreds of miles away from Los Angeles. I had awoken early on a Saturday to go for the interview. As I drove the inky dark of the sky blossomed into a beautiful sunrise.  In the visit room where I was conducting the interview I could observe those around, families, friends and loved ones communing and sharing in a moment of togetherness. I felt somewhat out of place. I was the anomaly here. The man I was interviewing entered the visit room and shook my hand before pulling out my chair for me. I was perplexed.  Shouldn’t this person be boorish, mannerless, without insight and care for others? I was wrong. Kindness and compassion can bloom anywhere, even in the most arid of spiritual and social settings. 

Through my years of delving into these unhappy stories, I have learned that while there is an absence of kindness, grace and compassion, these too can be restored. In order to exhibit kindness, you yourself must experience and know kindness. In order to share compassion, you first must learn empathy.  In order to show grace, your heart must have been hurt and capable of forgiveness. In order to practice any of these qualities, you must first practice them on yourself. 

There is a saying “in a world where you can be anything, be kind”. I agree wholeheartedly and add “in a world where you can be anything, be kind to yourself.” When you begin practicing kindness, speak to yourself the way you would to someone you love and care about.  Treat yourself as you would a guest in your house– don’t scrimp on treating yourself with care and respect. Also, you can’t pour from an empty cup. To make sure you are refilling your cup, refill with clean and healthy water. Filter out the negative qualities so your cup is being filled with the qualities you would want to spill out when life bumps you. 

So that way you too can believe, be kind, be compassionate and mostly– so you can be. 

You can follow Bethany @prosandconspodcast on Instagram and Facebook, @prosandconsshow on Twitter, and listen to her true crime podcast on the Mouth Off Network. 

Previous Post

Our 5 Favorite Toys for Dogs While We Work From Home

Next Post

Manifestation: It’s an Inside Job

Related Posts

A young black woman with long curly hair holds a sign that says 'Save the Earth'.

Don’t Be Plastic

byAnna Griffin
April 19, 2022

Simple ways we can reduce single-use plastic in our lives, with a little style and a lot of sustainability. Approximately 8 million metric tons of plastics are estimated to enter the ocean...

5 Tips on Taking the First Step Towards a Goal

byBe Kind & Co.
January 16, 2022

It's never too late to set new goals for yourself, your personal life, or your career. Whether you're starting a new job, looking for love, or focusing on self-care, our contributing authors...

Gifts that Give Back this Holiday Season

byVeena Crownholm
January 16, 2022

It’s that time of year where we are looking for thoughtful gifts for our loved ones. A gift that brings a smile to their face and makes them feel loved. We will...

lu with turkey

A Turkey Fell Asleep in My Lap and Changed My View of Thanksgiving Forever

byLu Parker
November 23, 2021

My entire life I have loved saving animals.  As a young girl, I would care for injured squirrels, or help a baby bird back into the nest.  One time, I even rescued...

Be Kind & Co’s First Virtual Event

byLu Parker
October 28, 2021

You are invited to join Be Kind & Co. & The Whole Purpose as we collaborate and celebrate World Kindness Day, Saturday, November 13th, 10am-12pm. Register Here The jam-packed 2-hour event is guaranteed to remind participants...

Next Post
BE KIND AND CO | Why Manifestation Is An Inside Job

Manifestation: It's an Inside Job

9 Simple Habits to Help Fight for Better Air Quality

Be Kind to Mother Earth With These 9 Habits That Improve Air Quality

Mixed nuts on wooden spoon

10 Calcium-Rich Vegan Foods to Incorporate Into Your Nutrition Regimen

JOIN THE BE KIND & CO COMMUNITY

Facebook Twitter Instagram

MOST RECENT STORIES

A young black woman with long curly hair holds a sign that says 'Save the Earth'.

Don’t Be Plastic

April 19, 2022

5 Tips on Taking the First Step Towards a Goal

January 16, 2022

Gifts that Give Back this Holiday Season

January 16, 2022
lu with turkey

A Turkey Fell Asleep in My Lap and Changed My View of Thanksgiving Forever

November 23, 2021

Be Kind & Co’s First Virtual Event

October 28, 2021
Photo by Joel Muniz

8 Ways Women Can Support Each Other

October 18, 2021
BE KIND & CO

© 2022 Be Kind & Co. All Rights Reserved. Proudly Published & Powered by STORIFIED with kindness.

Navigate Be Kind & Co

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Health & Fitness
  • Inspiration
  • Interviews
  • Relationships
  • Pets
  • Workplace
  • Favorite Things
  • Press

Join the Be Kind & Co Community

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Inspiration
  • Interviews
  • Favorite Things
  • Health & Fitness
  • Relationships
  • Workplace
  • Pets
  • Press
  • Contributors
  • Welcome to Be Kind & Co
  • Be Kind & Co Newsletter
  • Contact Be Kind & Co

© 2022 Be Kind & Co. All Rights Reserved. Proudly Published & Powered by STORIFIED with kindness.