Written and read by Adam Scull
noun: kindness
the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Kindness seems to have taken a backseat to rampant racism, abruptness, and violence.
It’s being selfless, caring, compassionate, and unconditionally kind. Like love, it takes practice to understand and feel it. We share love with others through kind acts such as a smile, a nice word, an unexpected deed, or a planned surprise.
The pundits often talk about the idea of “coming together†in times like this, yet no one does come together. Instead, we splinter apart, and take on the attitude it’s everyone for themselves.
I was in line with just a few groceries one day. Ahead of me was a couple with a full basket. They asked me if I wanted to go ahead of them. I smiled and replied that my days of impatience were over, and I didn’t mind waiting for them to go through the checkout line.
My turn came, but it took me a moment to realize that the couple ahead of me had taken my three items and slid them into their purchases. I immediately protested saying that this kind gesture was not needed but they scoffed me off, paint for my three items and handed me my bag of items.
I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like this before. The gesture was huge, the items small, but the fact that they did this was so heartwarming and I told them that.
I remember when I would drive back and forth from New York City to Boston, and manned toll booths were common. Without giving it much thought, I always gave the attendant the fee for the car behind me, then I just drove off. No one asked me to do such a thing, but I just did it as a matter of kindness. No agenda, just kindness. Occasionally, the car behind me would role alongside me and I would wave or salute them.
Kindness can come in many forms. Monetary is certainly one way, but even small gestures go a long way. Drivers are always out scouting for the nearest parking space to their destination. Fights often ensue, especially if you’re in a large city with parking on the streets a scarcity. The few times it happened to me, I realized that they may have a reason for wanting to be close, even without a handicap hanger. Who knows what they have been through, so I’d let it go and keep looking for a spot. The same goes for lining up at the gas station, searching for an open pump. I’ve been cut off more times than I can count, but it’s just not worth getting angry about, so I just pull in behind a vehicle and wait my turn.
I remember the adage ‘don’t get upset about the things you can’t control. Take action on things you CAN control. It makes for a less stressful life, it’s non-confrontational and it makes it easier to do the smaller chores in daily life easier to deal with.
Take ownership of kindness. It goes a long way.
What act of kindness have you done for anyone lately?