Kindness Matters

What is it to be kind?

I was reading a piece written by Agnes Louis called A Different Kind of Kindness and felt inspired to write my own piece of kindness. This is a topic I feel strongly about, for when it comes down to it, kindness isn’t hard. It’s the little things that mean the most, things like opening a door for someone or simply saying hi. These things matter. Kindness matters.

Kindness matters.

When’s the last time you did something for another human being? Maybe you let someone in during traffic, or perhaps you genuinely complimented someone, lifting their spirits, making them smile. Did you do something special for your mom on Mother’s Day? Have you been kind to a stranger lately? Maybe you spent some time with someone you care about, doing little things for them. Perhaps you took the time to talk to a homeless person, get to know the person, rather than just drive by.

Kindness comes in many ways, big and small.

What is it to be kind? What does it mean to the recipient? Kindness is always the right choice. It is usually appreciated and often leads to another act of kindness. But what does it mean to be kind to someone?

Kindness: having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence

The dictionary definition says:

“Having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence.”

Basically, kindness is the process of giving someone else something they need regardless of how it affects you. Kindness is stepping out of your comfort zone to be generous to someone. It is the core to any healthy relationship and begets other similar behaviors (like respect, compassion, forgiveness, etc.).

Kindness isn’t difficult; it’s not hard to be kind. It is an act of compassion, seeing someone suffer and knowing you could do something to help them. Kindness is the act of giving of oneself that which is precious. And it starts with being observant.

Be aware of the world moving around you. Let the ether of our world seep into your veins. When you notice all the little things around you you are better prepared to help another through kindness. Being observant is one of the keys to being kind. Noticing what another might need and how you can help them is fundamental to kindness. The next key to being kind is generosity. Being generous with your kindness helps spread kindness to others. Don’t be frugal when it comes to kindness, instead, let it rain with kindness. Let it deluge.

Patience is important when being kind. Don’t rush the act, take your time and be generous and genuine. It matters to the recipient.

In the long term, being kind has all sorts of benefits. When you take the time out of your busy day to help another person, it feels good! And it should, that’s okay! Being kind benefits both the giver and receiver. It can be a gesture as little as saying hello and it always matters.

When kindness becomes routine you will find lasting benefits mentally, physically, and emotionally.

So, I ask again, when’s the last time you did something kind for another human being? Hopefully you can name it off the top of your head. If not, it’s time to dive into a crash course in kindness. It won’t be hard. Just try to think of something nice you can do for someone you know. Start out by giving to someone familiar. The more you give of yourself, the more natural it becomes. It changes your perceptions, your way of thinking and seeing the world. You become a kind person who regularly visits kindness on others. This becomes habitual, your regular routine. Soon, you start to notice all sorts of new things around you. You’ve stepped out of the bubble, outside of your comfort zone and found sunny shores. This is what it means to be kind.

Take the opportunity to do something kind for someone today. Maybe it is as simple as making a phone call, but do it. You’ll be glad you did. Because it matters. Kindness matters.

Sarah E. Sturgis 2020