Thursday, November 13, 2008

Kindness Day

Kind ~ Of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature; showing sympathy or understanding; charitable; humane; considerate

Today is World Kindness Day.

It's a day where we are all encouraged to be kind. Be kind. Sounds simple enough doesn't it?

Shouldn't we be that way all the time? Have we become such a people that there have to be special days to remind us to be kind. For just a day. I know we've all met people who are not kind and it would be a big stretch for them to be kind for even a day.

People who perform acts of kindness would agree that being kind to someone else makes them "feel good." Scientific research shows that it not only can make you feel good but being kind has a significant health benefit, both physically and mentally.

A friend and I agreed the other day that "people don't think past themselves." How true is that. He said he works with an older lady who sits and talks with him every day during her breaks. Does it slow down his day? Probably. Does it make the difference in hers? No doubt.

But do you know how simple it is to be kind? And what a difference it makes to others?

The key is to be kind without expecting anything in return. Aha! Therein lies the rub for people. Because we live in a "what's in it for me?" society. And some people can't be kind to others unless they are certain they will be treated nice in return. It's like the whole "Pay It Forward" movie. See that one? Excellent film. When someone does something nice for you, don't pay it back. Pay it forward. You really should watch that movie if you haven't. It's a winner.

"Worry weighs a person down. But a kind word cheers a person up." ~ Proverbs 12:25


A kind word. It's as simple as that.

Just be kind. There are so many things you can do to be kind.

How about doing something like this....

  • Hold the door for someone.
  • Let a car in front of you instead of speeding up to cut him off.
  • Give up the closest parking place to the door.
  • Tell a friend what they mean to you.
  • Help someone paint their kitchen (sorry, had to get that in there....)
  • Buy coffee at Starbucks for the person behind you .
  • Write a note to someone who is ill or hurting.

OK, those are a little too tough? Try these....

  • Say thank you.
  • Let someone else go first.
  • Say a kind word.
  • Say hello.
  • Smile.

So, any thoughts on kindness? Any ways you can be kind? Let me hear it.

Be kind people. Be the difference in somebody's day.

2 Wanna' ramble too?:

Anonymous said...

I'm not being kind by painting your kitchen...I'm using your kitchen to see if I like the color for my house...hahaha!!! just kidding!

Anonymous said...

OOOH- we - and here I thought Connie was helping because she liked to paint!
Have fun - maybe you both would like to do ours later.
Will be thinking of you as we "sail along" to TX.
Love
AL & UN