The Unintended Consequences of Kindness

Just the other day my rabbi shared a story about spreading kindness which made a great impact on me. He said he lets every car in, no matter what. I thought that sounded not only amazingly nice but incredibly patient. How would you get anywhere? Ever?Upon further reflection, I thought perhaps how grateful those people must be, that were being allowed in. (If they noticed it at all) The thing is, there is always an unintended consequence of being nice. What about the people behind him? They were likely annoyed, perhaps in a rush to get to work. They are worthy of our thoughts in this scenario. So let me ask you, does this make his decision unkind? Does his good intention override the consequences? or vice versa?I am quite focused on making compassionate and kind choices. Everything I do I try and make those my tenets for life and business decisions. So often I am analyzing, thinking, over-analyzing if something is kind or compassionate. I feel guilty over what I think are wrong turns and I work to correct them. Kindness is often on the forefront of my mind.I think about the choices that I make:being vegan,running a compassionate business,running a gluten free businessraising my kids veganallowing my son to wear dresses because he wants toallowing myself to be me, friendly, shy, goofy, honestSharing the glory of business with so many other businessesThese choices have made many people happy - my kids, the people we employ, the people who share our values and enjoy eating our food, the businesses and artists we support. I love that others have found peace and comfort in the intentions of kindness that I have made.On the other hand, what I find so difficult is how my choices have also made some angry. Angry that our food is vegan. "Where's the meat?" they ask. "Why do you bother with that gluten-free thing?" "Why wouldn't you teach your child morals and that boys don't wear dresses?" "Why that business?"Is there a way to be kind in this world without hurting someone? Maybe there is no such thing as pure goodness. It's discouraging when you think you're making a choice that is kind and loving and you are unexpectedly caught in a situation where people don't understand.I wish I had more answers. All I know is I can live to my truth which is all anyone can do.  Life is to short.  Live in Love.