The Beauty that is Kindness

How is it that Kindness, a virtue, so valued and recognised worldwide, is so sadly lacking?

Countries like New Zealand and the United States have dedicated Random Acts of Kindness days.  Why though, one specified day? Why can we not do it every day? Start small. One small gesture would pack more of a moral punch than a physical one.   Glued to your cellphone? Send an encouraging text to someone. Compliment a work colleague. Hint, hint work colleagues! New neighbours? Welcome them to the neighbourhood with a meal. Meal too expensive? Maybe take them some flowers from your garden.  Just remember not to take a selfie doing these random acts of kindness!

If you have some time, consider volunteering. Promote goodness and generosity of spirit.  It is good for skill development and excellent for the CV. A win-win situation in so many ways.

Aristotle defined kindness as being “helpfulness towards someone in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped.”

 Meher Baba, the renowned Indian Spiritual Master talked about God being synonymous with kindness. “God is so kind that it is impossible to imagine His unbounded kindness!”  Is it that we are also losing our spirituality?  Let us rather not go there, that is another story!

Maya Angelou  said “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

 I say, “Forget those with the selective amnesia, those who forgot what you did AND how you made them feel.  Be kind to them anyway. Start by being kind to yourself, everything else will follow.” 

Yes, while we are at it, maybe throw in simple manners like saying “please” and “thank you!”

Let us celebrate being kind and being beautiful.