Many famous and clever people have had something to say about kindness. Kindness is an inspiring and noble ideal to aim for, no matter your circumstances. None other than Plato himself, said “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” Plato was a clever bloke.
Mark Twain, that great American writer said “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain knew a lot about life as it turns out.
Early Australian Poet, Adam Lindsay Gordon penned “Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.” Mr Gordon, too, knew what he was talking about.
There are almost endless lists of quotes about kindness from the intelligent and the thoughtful amongst us, and they all say similar things. Kindness is important and what sets the decent humans apart from the lesser ones. Kindness to those in need is a sign of courage and empathy. If you aren’t motivated primarily by kindness in life, you will never be truly great.
Toughness on the other hand…
Surprisingly, there are not as many inspiring quotes about toughness. Nowhere serious, would you find respected thinkers saying that toughness is about dominating others or destroying your enemy. You won’t find anyone other than the mainstream media arguing that toughness is about muscle size, wealth or being the alpha in the room.
Instead, real toughness is about perseverance, courage and belief in yourself in the face of overwhelming odds. In fact, to show kindness to strangers in dark times, to share with others when you have little and to smile when you feel crushed, is a sign of both kindness and strength. It is my belief that the toughest amongst us, also happen to be the kindest and most vulnerable.
Being taught a lesson
My son is a very kind and compassionate child. When he was younger, I would tell him that it was important to be kind to the homeless. Whenever we passed someone down on their luck in the city, I would give him a few coins to pass on. Recently as we walked towards a poor woman who had seen better days, he said “Dad, can I have some coins to give her, please?”
I checked my wallet and finding nothing, said “I don’t have any coins, pal?”
My champion little fella had the trust in me to believe what I had taught him in the past. Seeing a ten dollar note in the wallet, he took it out and gently but firmly said “She looks like she needs it more than us, Dad.” Walking over to the lady, he gave her the money and smiled.
My son’s humble act of kindness towards a stranger had greater consequences than he realised at the time. Not only was the beneficiary of his kindness able to buy breakfast, but I was taught a lesson about kindness. Kindness isn’t always about convenience and giving out of your abundance. True kindness needs to be motivated by empathy. It needs to be a heart response.
Kindness isn’t…
Kindness is not about a major company donating to charity in order to receive a tax break. Don’t get me wrong, these corporate gifts can be generous and even necessary, but their motive is inspired by a benefit to the company. I realise that individuals get a kick out of feeling generous and kind when they do something nice for someone, but that is not a benefit in the same way. Feeling good for acting in a humane way to another is simply joy at behaving like we should.
This is where the notion of toughness comes into it. It is tough to think of others first, when everyone and everything tells you that you are the most important person in the world. To act with kindness when you are stressed is strength. Facing some upset person’s cruel taunts with silence is courage. Giving out of empathy, despite not having a lot yourself, is being strong. Gentle kindness is strength.
The cynics amongst us might be thinking that my son was naïve for giving to a homeless person. That they will just spend it on grog. If you think that, you are wrong. My son has always had a strong sense of social justice. We have talked long and often and watched documentaries about homelessness. He understands that some will use the charity for alcohol or drugs, but he also understands that no one would live on the street if they didn’t have to. My son was being kind, because it broke his heart to see a lady that had to sleep on the footpath.
An opportunity
So on this World Kindness Day, let’s reject the mass media’s lie that toughness is about power and wealth. Instead, let’s start a movement of quiet and respectful kindness to others. Let’s be kind wherever we are and to whomever needs it. Let’s praise those genuine and tough acts of kindness and focus on what really matters… all of us, no matter our circumstances.
Related
World Kindness Day 2021: 25 ways to be kind today – CNN
Kindness and other acts of rebellion » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated %
It resonates with our own health and well being. Be Kind and give compliments 🙂 The smallest thing to you can mean the world to others.
It is so true and so rare. Be the difference.