Embracing Life
Kindness, My New Year’s Resolution
Kindness simply means being considerate, sympathetic and warmhearted. Humans cannot purchase benevolence, but can practice and perfect their ability to contribute to the needs of others. Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”I was eating lunch with a friend at a church function. She was depressed as it was the anniversary of her daughter’s death. We were in a quiet corner of the church having a subdued conversation when, for no particular reason, an elementary school-aged girl handed her a chocolate kiss, and left without a sound — words were not needed. Grief lifted (at least momentarily) as she smiled, her day a bit brighter. A sweet, wise little cherub did what she could do to lift a mourning mom’s spirit. Acts of kindness do not need to be big. Aesop explains, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
My co-worker and her daughter were at a home improvement store. Their mission: to procure provisions for a butterfly garden. Excited about the project, they selected soil, stones, and shrubbery. The mass of merchandise overflowed the oversized shopping cart. Suddenly they realized their plan did not include transporting the bulky purchases home. They proceeded, confident that somehow they could fit their treasures into their compact car. A peculiar-looking person watched as the events unfolded. To their surprise he offered to help transport their merchandise. At first my friends refused his offer. Like most individuals in today’s unkind world they felt threatened by his presence. Why would a stranger want to help two women?
When asked that question, he responded, “I just feel like being someone’s angel today.”
There was something about this man that seemed sincere. So in spite of his odd appearance and mysterious behavior, they accepted his assistance and offered to pay for his service. He declined compensation. From his genuine gift, they regained trust in mankind and wondered how our lives would change if more people performed random acts of kindness as did this unusual individual.
Lao Tzu describes his angelic action perfectly, “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
Generating kindness is more fulfilling when the beneficiary appreciates our gift. We feel cheated when our action is not valued. A hard-working employee at my favorite dry cleaner found a large sum of money in the suit pocket of a successful patron. Rather than keep the cash, she called her customer. When this well-dressed, egotistical fellow arrived, he failed to slow down long enough to say thank you. While he continued to negotiate a business deal on his cell phone, he reached out his hand, and she silently slipped the money into his palm. He turned around and left.
My jaw dropped in disbelief; completely awed by her integrity. This woman works three jobs to meet her financial obligations and could easily have kept the small fortune. Instead, she did the right thing and the recipient showed absolutely no gratitude. Her honesty warmed my heart and soul. When I expressed my delight in her good deed, she blushed and shrugged off the compliment.
Ashleigh Brilliant said, “Be kind to unkind people — they need it the most.”
Witnessing these true stories of human compassion shaped my resolution for 2008 — to embrace kindness. With as little effort as taking a breath of fresh air, I can make a significant difference in our world.
The editors of Conari Press profess my prayer on the book flap of “More Random Acts of Kindness.” “In a sense, kindness is putting into action our deep and real connection to everyone and everything around us. Each of us has the power to change the world, to add to the kindness circulating within it, and to bring joy to ourselves and to others by giving.”
