ONE RANDOM ACT OF SENSELESS KINDNESS

Way back in 1897 William Faulkner said, “I believe that man will not merely endure; he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among the creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of kindness and compassion.”

I’m not talking about anything new here; it’s just a reminder of what we all knew and seem to have forgotten. We seem to have been taken in by the sheer pace of things around us – the violence, the economy driven work culture, the information boom, etc etc – you know them all – and the media has only added up to the pace. We need to look around us. Where have all courtesies gone ? Been to a gathering lately ? This is a wake-up call, a reminder !!

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibres connect us with our fellow human beings; and along those fibres, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects. We need to re-learn to give; so that some of us eventually receive.

It's the easiest gift to give and the best gift to receive ... a simple act of kindness. It is an act that positively influences the life of both the giver and the receiver. It doesn't have to cost money or be difficult to perform. It can be random, spontaneous or premeditated. It can be as simple as a smile or a thank you, and as complicated as starting a non-profit organization to benefit those in need. For starters, the simple variety will do. Decency doesn’t cost. A smile or a thank you doesn’t cost either. Nor do kind and thoughtful words. And neither does the expression of the feeling that one genuinely shares someone’s joys and sorrows. It’s easy. Try it. It actually works !!!

I guess people aren't used to having people do something nice for them for no reason. They think you want something from them. It's so sad that our society become so suspicious that we're not even willing to accept kindness !!!

Like child's play, simple acts of kindness would seem to be natural, even impulsive and are immune from being scheduled, organized, and institutionalized. Earlier generations did this just out of normal, everyday courtesy and they didn't have to be told about committing an act of kindness.  It’s a sad commentary on the growth of our society that there has to be a special campaign to do this. I think we have to be jerked up to remember to care for one another.

We must not discriminate against anyone. All religions, colours, sex and abilities should be the recipients of our kind give aways. We are all one, we are all part of the human race joined together for the common good. If each one of us was to commit one act of kindness a day everyone would feel that he/she has a place in this world.

Anyone who’s not sure how to be kind, rest assured, you have it in you. Caring has been with us for a long time. If each one of us did a good deed for two people, and they each "paid it forward" by doing a good turn for two others, the acts of kindness would multiply and gather momentum. That first good deed would be a small pebble that rolls down a mountain and sets in motion a thundering avalanche Truly miraculous things can happen to our spirit when we reach out to help others. Can we start an avalanche through toostep ? And will it in turn start dozens more outside till the country is engulfed ?

Sadly, I cannot give you a “be – nice – and – here’s – how – to” book on the subject.  I don’t need to. God gifted it to all of us the day we were born. Is it still in it’s original gift wrap ?  We need to open it and feel the joy of giving. When we give someone joy, we experience far greater joy within ourselves. Be selfish for a change – do something for your own self – give joy to your self - do good to others.

The face of kindness has never changed. It has always been the same. Look into the mirror and you see the face of Kindness staring back at you. You are kindness. A simple act can start kindness spreading. A simple act of smiling at someone can show kindness. Everyone has kindness inside them. Some people keep it locked away and others let it radiate from them. It is up to you whether you want to show your kindness or not. Above all we must realize that each of us makes a difference with our life. Each of us impacts the world around us every single day. We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place - or not to bother.

Kindness is what you define it as, rather than what someone else thinks you should believe it is. I suggest we all attempt to live by the phrase, "Today I will commit one random act of senseless kindness”. Will You ?