I have been thinking about kindness lately in lots of different areas of my life. I was at school performance last month and was a bit late so I was sitting in the back…and halfway during the performance I couldn’t even hear a thing on at the front because so many parents were talking (loudly) in the back. I felt badly, mostly because I was a teacher and I full-well knew the hours that had gone in to teaching the kids those songs. I felt badly that half of the room was talking so loudly and not listening to their children. It was unkind.
Then recently I went to the grocery store, where it was late and I shouldn’t have been there with a hungry four year old who was grumpy and tired. And an older woman let me go ahead of her in line….she was so kind.
And so I have been thinking about my own behavior. Am I kind? No, not just on the surface kind, or kind when it is convenient…but am I kind?
No, not always. Sometimes I am in a rush and forget about kindness.
But it does matter. Kindness matters. Even when I am grumpy or tired or really don’t want to do something.
So, because I do know in my head that kindness matters, I gave myself a goal this month to be kind. And because I need something tangible to keep myself on track…every time I am about to say something or do something, I am asking myself, “is it kind?”
You know what? It’s working little by little. I am finding more patience that I didn’t even know existed. And I am finding my heart changing. And even in those moments when I was unkind, I can recognize it more–and do something about it the next time it comes up.
Are there ways in your life that you have found to be more kind? Tangible and practical? I really would love to hear them.
~Elizabeth
Well said!!
So true. To remember everyday. I forget at times with my children, as if I think their feelings are not as important as the bank teller. But, they matter so much more, and deserve that kindness that is easy to forget in rushed, forgetful, or stressful moments. And, they can be exasperating, but deserve kindness even more. Thank you.
This is the second time I have read your post. I really appreciate the reminder of being kind. True character is seen when we can be kind in difficult situations. Thanks.
Thank you for this, it really struck a chord. It’s so easy to fall into a snarky/sarcastic routine – trying to be funny, usually – but kindness and kind words do matter. Like you said, it’s not always easy, but I’m hoping ‘be kind’ will become an ingrained habit.
so helpful to reflect and Hopefully put into practice ….. Kindness matters!
Hello Simplesimonandco,
Thanks for your post(s), late as it may be, I would like to add something to this post:
I teach at a vocational school overseas (a bit like a technical schools/community college in the US). We have kids between the ages of 15-20 who are getting a second chance to do their high school courses or are doing their education in their respective field of study (car mechanic, kindergarten teacher, nurse…).
Friends of mine also teach overseas and have told me about their elementary school’s ‘big four share’. I use the same questions for my students (and colleagues at times…) and would like to share them with you:
“Whatever you do, ask yourselves: Is it fair? Is it kind? Is it respectful? Is it safe?”
In any of my class room situations, I’ve found that at least one of these four questions pretty much helps students to understand their behaviour and the responses to their behaviour better… And makes them think twice about what they do.
Love to you!
My Kindness Bubble seems to rise up in the supermarkets. The shorter people or handicapped in wheel chairs don’t get an easy go at top of shelf items, the checkout people who we expect to find our every precious item so valuable and to get joy out of packing it! I have compassion and generally have a smile and thanks to them