"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
~ Mark Twain.
At times it seems that old fashioned kindness has completely
disappeared from our surroundings and has been replaced with rudeness,
meanness and distrust of anyone who is not exactly like us. If we
could agree to get along and make a concerted effort to show kindness
to others, we could make great strides toward our world being happier
and more content.
Wikipedia defines kindness as "a behavior marked by ethical
characteristics, a pleasant disposition, and concern and consideration
for others. It is considered a virtue, and is recognized as a value
in many cultures and religions."
Words are powerful tools that can either help or cause harm to people.
Frequently on the news are accounts of ordinary people performing
extraordinary gestures to assist their neighbor, but the next story is
invariably about people who with malice and forethought, do damage to
completely innocent individuals. In a world where you can be
anything, choose to be kind.
"Kind words can be short and east to speak, but their echoes are truly
endless." ~Mother Teresa
My paternal great grandmother, Miss Lottie, did not think or speak
unpleasant words about anyone. In fact when others might mention
something about a relative or neighbor that was disagreeable she
paused for a moment and then softly said words such as she sure has
pretty eyes or I understand she bakes amazing tasting cakes or maybe,
I’m sure she is greatly loved by her parents. I remember her as the
kindest person I ever knew.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. " Ephesians 4:32
Perhaps some unkind ways are a result of individuals now having a
voice in social media and rather than make a statement that encourages
another, they make inflammatory statements that are intended to cause
damage. I heard long ago that you can never make yourself look better
by casting unflattering words about another.
"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that
I can do; or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me
do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this
way again. " ~Mahatma Gandhi
Hoping for a kinder, gentler nation is probably just a dream but if
only a few people agreed to be less aggressive in their statements and
decided not to repeat or share the unkind statements then it is a step
forward rather than backward. Kindness is always in fashion. Try
your best to be nice to those who come into your path; not because you
are weak but because you are strong.
"Kindness opens doors that rudeness can never unfasten."~Brenda S Brown
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against
such things there is no law. " Galatians 5:22-23
