There are many people on this planet we inhabit who are soft, gentle and kind. Kind most of all. We all have had days when a person spoke a few words to us and lifted us up and we felt better. It could have been you who spoke words to another person who needed to hear them.
Each day people cross our paths who are in pain, we know this because all of us carry burdens all our own. A few caring words spoken can infer a new beginning, a new thought string that leads to solving a problem, a fresh path to look into or perhaps a good feeling to ease the heavy, full and overwhelming feeling for a time.
Appreciating thoughtful acts are inborn in all of us especially when we are exposed to the opposite. How did you feel the last time someone scowled at you? What happened to your mood the last time someone cut you off in traffic and could have caused severe problems to you and your passengers? What happened to your good mood when someone screamed to you or was impatient with your actions, especially when you are doing your very best. Remember how you felt…
“To belittle, you have to be little.” -Khalil Gibran, the Prophet
I remember when I was in school we were rough and tough on each other, we joked about each other, talked about each other and it was all in jest. We knew our class mates cared about us. Today it is so important that we teach our children the value of kindness to another person and how this will carry them very far in life with an abundance of friends and business associates alike. Our children must learn to be kindhearted to other children especially if they are different.
Other ways to express considerate feelings that are critical is to show thoughtfulness toward our environment and this magnificent planet by not polluting – loving our pets and showing gentleness toward them by giving them fresh water and food daily. By all means be good to yourself. Lighten up if you make a mistake, it is human to do so. Be good to the body you inhabit. It is precious.
Acts of kindness need not be some giant gesture, or a large sum of money given. A kind act is as simple and urgently needed as a smile that says, “I accept you.” When you smile at another person and they smile back it gives a good feeling to both parties and they give this good feeling to other people they meet. It continues to vibrate outward. What can compete with this?
“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” -Mother Teresa
Most people never think about being kind because for most it comes naturally. There are times when we are overawed with our burdens and we forget how important it is to show compassion to others. It is at these times we need to be especially thoughtful and gentle toward other people because it comes back to us and give us the support we need.
Being kind is as simple as a pleasant conversation, an encouraging few words, a phone call expressing concern and care, a letter, an email, listening completely with your body and a smile. If being kind is not natural, be deliberate about it. With practice it will become a part of who you are.
“Anytime I perform an act of kindness, a part of me heals.”
– Lupi Ngcayisa
There are thousands of ways you can express random or deliberate acts of kindness to other people and creatures alike.
