• 6/11/2017
  • Written by: Charity Daya

This quote is beautiful in the simplicity of it. We tend to be kind to those who are kind to us. But does it help those who are most in need of kindness?

Think about it for a second. Why are some people UNKIND? Maybe they have not experienced kindness in their life. I am lucky to have grown up in a kind family, surrounded by lots of kind people but this is not the same for everyone. 

The unkind are perhaps the ones most in need of kindness. Whether it is to thaw their cold heart, or to provide an example of how it is to be done, the unkind need acts of kindness more so than those who are already kind.

I tend to surround myself with positive and kind people. I tend to avoid or navigate away from negative and unkind people. Avoiding unkind people is kinda expected. We may be concerned that an unkind person will deplete our reservoir of kindness, and we will be left with less. Or we might not bother to interact with unkind people. I get it. 

But in avoiding unkind people we are not spreading kindness. The kind will continue to be kind and the unkind will continue to be unkind. 

We can start with the tiniest of kindnesses, thank you and please. How often do you remember to use these words? It still amazes me how many people do not say thank you or please - the basics in my mind. How much effort does it take? How much time did it take? Are you exhausted from doing it? Did it cost you any money? Can you come up with a single good reason not to say please and thank you?

How about a little bit of door opening. Or a smile? Again, some basic kindness. If you want to step it up, we have over 100 ways to be kind. 

If we take the time to think about it, we have an unlimited well of kindness within ourselves. We can be kind to anyone, and not have any less to give to the next person. Yes, we can get tired of it. Yes, we can get bored with it. Yes, it can hurt if we expect something in return. But we still have more to give, if we choose it.