LOVE IS KIND
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Show kindness even if it "cannot" be reciprocated |
"I love you, I love you
And that you do know;
But how much I love you,
My actions will show."
–Author
Unknown
Kindness,
is Love in Action. It is the desire
to do something good for others; even when they do not deserve it. It is how
love acts to maximize positive circumstances. Through the nature of kindness,
love actively works towards the benefit of all those with whom it comes in
contact with.
Someone
said “The greatest thing a man can do for his Heavenly Father is to be kind to
some of His children.” Lovers always seek the opportunity to help others in
need. Kind people are like a magnet; they attract people to themselves. People
always want to be around them; they are seen to be good to them and good for
them.
It
takes someone who walks in the control of the spirit to be kind – not doing it
for praise (Matt 6:1-4).
The Lost Art of Kindness
Would you come to the aid of a
lost child in a crowded picnic park? Would you give up your seat on the bus for
a pregnant woman? Would you hold the hand of the old lady across the street?
These are some questions I ask myself from time to time and I am often troubled
by my honest responses.
Society appears to have lost the
desire for kindness and the willingness to extend the hand of friendship.
Society today values people for their economic contribution at the expense of
kindness and compassion.
The idea of “the common good” is
lost and we are today experiencing a severe social recession; the effects of
which are far more devastating and lasting than any economic recession.
Solidarity
is a term little used today. The same is true of those who volunteer to make
sure people in our communities are cared for and nurtured.
We need to rediscover humanity
in our communities. We need the desire to create a world that is genuinely
hospitable; a world in which the stranger is welcomed, the weak are supported
and the dispossessed are empowered. We have to rise for civility; the
generosity of spirit which allows for kindness and politeness, which embraces
difference without fear, and that which genuinely sees equality between people.
The Ripple Effects of Kindness
“I alone cannot change the world,
but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” –
Mother Teresa
It is said that, if you perform two acts of
kindness a day, and the recipients of that kindness go on to perform two acts
of their own, more than a thousand acts of kindness can be shared in just 10
days. Truly, kindness
can be highly contagious. When
we act kindly toward one person, that person is much more likely to be kinder
toward others in the future. This is what I call “the ripple effect of
kindness.” When
we’re kind we inspire others to be kind – spreading outwards to our friends’
friends’ friends. Just as a pebble creates waves when it is dropped in a pond,
so acts of kindness ripple outwards touching others’ lives and inspiring
kindness everywhere the wave goes, affecting many more. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it
makes them kind themselves
Every
act of kindness; big or small has the potential to change the world in a huge way.
Often the smallest act is the most
heartwarming. It doesn't take only money. The
act of kindness can be expressed in countless ways: a compliment to one person
a day, a warm hello said to a stranger, a little smile, a pat on the shoulder,
and a lovely hug are all acts of kindness.
It’s good to know that our acts of
kindness don’t only affect the people we do nice things for, but many others who
we may never even come into contact with – the ripple effect of
kindness is far-reaching.
And best of all, kindness doesn’t
only benefit the recipients, it also benefits the givers. It is easy to think
that kindness is only a "one-way street", but in actual fact, it is a
“dual carriage way.”
Doing acts of kindness on a regular
basis has shown to be rewarding in many areas.
Spiritually, being
kind is a sure way to find favour with God. Proverbs 3:3-4 states: “Never let
loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like necklace; write them
deep within your heart. Then you will find favour with both God and people, and
you will gain a good reputation.”
Physically, acts of kindness can cause a greater
sense of calmness and relaxation, which may also ease pain (from headaches to
back pain). Acts of kindness can produce oxytocin which helps reduce blood
pressure making for healthier hearts and therefore kindness can be said to be “cardio-protective.”
It also
slows ageing. One study that used the Tibetan Buddhist’s
‘Loving Kindness Compassion’ meditation found that kindness and compassion did,
in fact, reduce inflammation in the body, which is one factor that speed the
process of ageing.
Psychologically, receiving a warm reaction and knowing
that you've just "made someone's day” by helping to ease loneliness or
helplessness gives personal satisfaction.
Closely tied to this is the emotional effect. Kindness makes us happier. When we do something kind for
someone, we feel good because we feel it is the right thing to do.
The
most obvious effect of kindness is seen relationally or socially.
We all like people who show us kindness. It
reduces the emotional distance between people and so we feel more ‘bonded’. When
we are kind to each other we feel a connection, and new relationships are built,
or existing ones strengthened. Kindness
truly makes for better relationships. Sir Winston Churchill had the right idea when he said: “We make a living by what we get, but we
make a life by what we give.”
A
person who loves is always kind and cannot agree more with William Penn: “I shall
pass through this world but once. Any good thing 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 it nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
- Habits of a Loving Heart by Willard Tate
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