Sunday Inspiration: Constant Kindness
“Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes the ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate.” -Albert Schweitzer
We live in a world in serious need of kindness. While most of us probably can’t manage “constant kindness,” I bet the more we think about kindness, the more we can manage.
So I’m thinking a lot these days about how to incorporate more kindness in my daily life. How about you?
And I mean that kindly.
How can I tell this without sounding like “MissGoodieTwoShoes”? I truly do not mean to sound saintly, God knows, I am not, but one thing I found, I get great smiles in response, by handing a can of ice cold right out of the refrig, that is in the garage, Arizona Green Tea. My Mailman, a UPS or Amazon Delivery person. The two fellows picking up the recycling, when it is nearly 100 degrees in the shade, The Work Crew putting in a Gas Line. I keep doing this, despite my family rolling their eyes, because the phrase about never knowing who you are passing that cool refreshment on to, stays in my mind. It could be Jesus. What If I missed a chance to be kind to HIM? And am I not serving God, by serving my neighbors? Or a stranger?
My friend Deb was so tickled last week. The lady, in the car in front of her at Starbucks, paid for her beverage. This is the pay it forward movement. But it feels so good to do little things. I am thankful for those opportunities when I can do a small kindness. The smile of surprise on faces is a great gift. My steps feel a little lighter, and so does my heart.
My husband too offers cool drinks to the trash collectors when we’re home, but I find what really makes my day is when I go into a store and the clerk clearly has an attitude problem. I make it a point to ask how they’re doing, comment about how it must be hard dealing with all the shoppers, or none, whatever the case may be. I find that just by showing someone you care makes them feel they’re not alone and more often than not, I leave them smiling.
Love today’s comments. Nancy, what a thoughtful husband you have.
Yes, Nancy! I know there are members of my own family who would dispute these random acts of friendly chit-chat. But you never know whose life is changed by that smile, or pleasant word. It isn’t hard or time consuming, but it makes my day better too!
All it takes to be kind is a compliment to a mom or dad when their child says Thankyou to you because you told them you like their shoes or earrings. It gives them a little boost knowing that they are doing a good job raising their child. Being kind doesn’t have to always be a big thing. Small compliments mean a lot.