Be Kind Whenever Possible

Kindness is always possible

Long before I learned that the quote “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” is attributed to the Dalai Lama, I heard it from my mother and my grandmother. They were examples of that quote throughout their lives and proved that no act of kindness is ever wasted.

I consider it my privilege to have grown up in a family where generosity is a way of life. Regardless of how individual each member was by nature, there was one thing they all had in common — kindness and generosity. They never hesitated to take the shirt off their backs to give it away, feed the hungry, and speak kind words.

Often, I would secretly wonder if they weren’t behaving like wimps — and I am ashamed now that the thought even crossed my mind. I now realize what strength it takes to always practice kindness even when other less desirable options are justified and when people are unkind in return.

As my uncle still says — “I never want to go to bed feeling bad about being nasty to someone. I enjoy sleeping in peace.” I have to agree!

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia

I am pleased that I raised my son to be kind, although I am pretty sure the credit goes to my mom. He has a birthday coming up next week and when I asked him what he wanted, he said I should feed the children at the local welfare home. I feel blessed.

I am thinking of all these people who influenced my life, both in and outside my family today, who made me a #RAKtivist and made me realize that kindness should be my norm.

It feels humbling to think of all the good Karma I’ve collected through simply being nice.

Because today, November 13, is World Kindness Day how about celebrating with random acts of kindness?

A little spark of kindness can put a colossal burst of sunshine into someone’s day!

I’ve put together a quick A to Z of Random Acts of Kindness. Take your pick!

A Ask yourself, what kindness can I practice today? B Be kind to yourself. C Compliment two people today. Cook a little extra, pack it up, and go give it to someone who needs it. D Donate a book, money, blood, food, clothes. E Encourage someone — send loving messages to five people you know who need it. F Find three things in your closet to give away today.

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you — Princess Diana

G Give away two things from your closet. Give a gift for no reason. H Help someone by buying them a meal, helping them cross the road, carrying their bags… I Invite your neighborhood workers for tea. J Jazz up someone’s day by giving them flowers. K Keep aside some coins to put in a little jar every day and when it fills up, donate it or use it to buy something for someone. L Listen to someone who wants to talk and needs a friendly ear.

Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.

M Make a greeting card for someone and post it/email it to them. N Nourish yourself. It can be with good thoughts, good food, good books. O Omit and oust anything that makes you unhappy from your day. P Phone someone you haven’t been in touch with, and have been meaning to call. Q Quit complaining for seven days. Before you know it, it will become a habit. Or do yourself a favor and quit smoking.

A little kindness from person to person is better than a vast love for all humankind. Richard Dehmel

R Reciprocate an act of kindness you’ve received (visit bloggers who’ve visited you, share on social media). S Smile at everyone you see, share your lunch. T Thank all the people you meet today, including the lift operator and all those workers who make a difference in your life. U Unplug your devices and go out and spend the day in a park. Or at a nearby Home for the Elderly. V Visit five new blogs today and comment. Visit the local welfare home and give something. Volunteer. W Write a gratitude journal, write a letter to someone who has shown you kindness. X Xpress your “I love you” to each family member, the ones that live with you and the ones in other places. Y Yield. If you are being stubborn about something trivial, give in. Now. It is okay to put a smile on someone’s face. Z Zzzz. Yes, promise yourself you’ll get enough sleep.

Here are some kindness habits to practice

• When you wake up in the morning, ask, “What kindness can I show today?”
• Each time you receive an act of kindness, reciprocate. With at least a “thank you”
• Make a giveaway chest or bag. Place it in your living room. Keep adding things to it, and each time you step out, carry something from it to give away. This is something my mom did regularly.
• Be kind to your own family
• Do something for your local charity — in cash or kindness
• And oh yes, please be kind to yourself.

What random act of kindness can you do today?

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?

I love Medium and the wonderful writers I engage with. One of the reasons I write is to support underprivileged children. Currently, the Medium Partner Program is not open to writers based in India. Would you consider buying me a cup of coffee? Thank you so much!

Read this wonderful story by Jill (Conquering Cognitions).

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