Kindness

Kindness

by Mary E. Harris

Think, really think, about the last time you experienced kindness, whether you gave it or received it. Think about the feeling it gave you or how you made the other person feel.

Kindness is a powerful virtue that affects people in the best ways. It teaches us to be polite and selfless. It helps us communicate through actions and build relationships from nothing.

Kindness is the fundamental characteristics of the best people in the world.

Being unkind, obviously, is the opposite. When a person is unkind to you, do you pity them? Do you dislike them? Maybe both? If you are unkind how can you expect people to be kind to you?

An unkind person is undesirable from any perspective, hearing just one unkind comment can turn any given person away automatically. Making a mean comment or being unkind in even the slightest way can be destructive to a person. One word or tiny action can destroy someone’s day, their self esteem, their confidence, their motivation.

Human beings are sensitive, therefore we must think before we act, a negative impulse never helped anyone.

I will not talk to you about how being unkind will not allow you to be socially successful, and I will not say how someone who is mean won’t be viewed in a positive manner, but what I can tell you is that those who do spread kindness are joyful, those who are callous will be miserable. (ex. Grinch + Scrooge) It’s counter-intuitive, but if you are feeling unkind, do something kind for someone. I guarantee it will become a habit.

I believe it is nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice, which every person has the ability to do. You have the ability to be kind, you have the ability to help others be happy, to be proud and confident, you have the ability to change someone’s day, you have the ability to change someone’s life through something as simple as a kind smile, a good laugh, 5 extra seconds to hold a door open or give a quick compliment. *give a compliment* (kind compliments cause happiness which is completely contagious). Kindness is positive, positivity leads to good decisions, good decisions lead to happiness, and happiness is the best feeling in the world.

So, I ask you to be kind. Be compassionate. Be respectful. Be selfless. Because without kindness, What is the point?

Written by the late Mary Elizabeth Harris at 16 years of age, 6 months before her young life came to a tragic end on October 8th 2016.

"Kindness Hearts" available for purchase