Kindness - A dying gesture?

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. 

Know how to give without hesitation, 

how to lose without regret, 

how to acquire without meanness.” 

― George Sand

"State ways that you can show kindness to someone in school". This was a question I asked my class of about 44 students. Other than 'helping teachers carry her/his books' and 'helping a friend with their homework', my students found it very difficult to think of something kind to do for someone else. I was shocked when a student said, 'saying hi to the aunties that clean the school'. My initial thought was 'hmmm...and who are you that they must feel privileged that you 'bestowed' them with your time and word'. Being kind is not lost but it doesn't come easy to many of us. Many children are not being taught or shown from example to think of others needs. It is very sad. Doing something kind without expecting something in return is a dying gesture. In a blink of an eye, we have become tremendously self absorbed. I am all for self-improvement. Wanting to look good and develop yourself, is not a bad thing. But when it becomes all you think about, we have a serious problem. As the 'selfie, Facebook, tweeter, blogging' generation, we care too much about our image and what we want the world to see. We are too busy focusing on our latest selfie and post on tweeter or Facebook that we miss opportunities to be a blessing. 

Here are the facts, we make more of a difference when human contact is involved. Having amazing Facebook statuses does not change lives like human contact. Making the time to be with people, talking to them, investing in the lives of people, living life with a positive attitude, etc. changes lives. Technology is an amazing tool to reach out to the world. I am a big fan but we should not let our phones, Ipads, laptops, etc. run our lives. Getting out there and doing 'random acts of kindness', taking the time to spend with friends and family, leading lives that loves others, speaks life into lives, and walks the talk, are a few things that we should be doing. These are things that take the focus off us and causes us to look at others. We become aware of needs. From this, we have opportunities to be kind to others. We are living epistles. I am an epistle of Christ. Our stories are being written and we definitely want to have a story that makes a positive difference. 

Things you can do to show kindness - just think of another persons need and do something nice for them. Even for a day. Babysit for a friend or family member so that they can have a break, write a note to cheer someone up or to tell them how awesome they are, cook a delicious home cooked meal for a friend, buy a drink for the guy who is working hard under the sun, etc. There are many ways to be kind. Just think about their needs and do a simple gesture without expecting anything in return. 

Being kind does not come easy. But if we make it a change in lifestyle from what the world advocates ('Me, myself and I'), kindness will be easy. Actions speak louder than words. Let your actions do the talking. Take a stand to have an attitude of kindness. 

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” 

― Steve Maraboli