“Be kind whenever possible.
It is always possible.”

Dalai Lama

For sixteen years (2006-2022), I blogged regularly on the importance of gratitude in one’s life. In 2017, I published my first book on the same topic. During these years, I became increasingly aware that there is a related topic of equal, perhaps even greater importance: Kindness.

Opportunities to be kind to others are readily available to all of us. Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a philosopher more commonly referred to simply as Seneca, lived around the time of Jesus. Even at that point in human history, he recognized the value of being kind to others. He said, “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” Yes, it’s that simple.

In my younger years, there were a number of factors which contributed to the level of admiration I had for people. Some of those characteristics were pretty shallow. Others are valid even to this day. As I’ve aged, however, one trait stands out above all the rest. Yes, kindness!

Showing kindness to others is what one might describe as self-serving, even if that is not the intention of the person extending the kindness. Generally speaking, when we are kind to others, most of us experience greater happiness, as well as an increased sense of inner peace. This is how kindness works. And on a more cosmic level, the nicer we are to those around us, the nicer we are treated by others. This, too, is how kindness works.  

I’m sure there are some for whom kindness is a sort of currency. We invest in others by doing nice things for them with the expectation that they, or others, will recognize what we’ve done and reward us with praise and recognition. Even in such a case, while the motivation may be less than ideal, the act of kindness itself has tremendous value for the recipient. 

There may be some few who, when provided with an opportunity to be kind to others, choose not to help the person at that time, believing that they don’t have the time, or that the person in need of kindness is undeserving of their compassionate care. Two thoughts come to mind. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, “You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” Similarly, the French essayist, Joseph Joubert, reminds us that “A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.” Now there’s a counter-cultural concept.

Treating someone with kindness when there is no reason nor expectation to do so, is a potent act of courage. Bob Kerry, the former governor of Nebraska, pointed out, “Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” Compelling words.

The choice to be kind is available to all of us. We encounter countless opportunities to do so every day. Jane Goodall, the English primatologist who has devoted her life to showing genuine kindness to both humans and chimpanzees, challenged us all when she said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Goodall exemplifies the reality that kindness is not simply an act. It is a lifestyle.

[Note: For Facebook users looking
to be inspired by the kindness of others,
check out the Daily Dose of Kindness page.
It will lift your spirits.]