To be kind, one must see the value of the other, regardless of how they present themselves.  Sometimes, being kind is a huge challenge. But it is direly needed for healing in our relationships, our dealings outside of family and friends, and our society as a whole.  Kindness does not only benefit other people, but it benefits ourselves. It is a higher calling and it needs to be heard and acted upon.

If you have been shown kindness, you know what it is like to receive this gift.  For indeed, this is a gift. Every time a person opens his or her heart to another, it is like shining a light on what it means to be fully human.  One cannot deny the good that is exchanged whether giver or receiver in this encounter.

It is so easy to be mean.  It is a knee jerk reaction.  It can be a defense mechanism.  There are so many reasons to be mean if one judges interactions by what is seen.  But meanness, like kindness is inside of a person. Only by communication can one even begin to see the real source of these actions.

I am convinced that if people begin to be kind in simple situations that it would lead to more mindfulness.  And mindfulness is getting in touch with ourselves. It is a way of understanding our own motives in our actions.

I have found myself wanting to become more kind and considerate just because it makes me feel better about myself.  So it is in self interest that we can begin to increase the ways and situations in which we can grow in this action.  For indeed, by being kind, we are really being kind to ourselves as well. It is difficult to feel negative about oneself when one is doing good.  It just has a natural reciprocity.

To be kind is not always easy.  In fact, it can be very difficult to do.  But who said doing good things would not be a challenge ?    Kindness is a worthy pursuit. I will be working extra hard on this task.  It will be just as beneficial for me as to another person. We all are needed to make our world a kinder, more loving place in which to live. Let us dare to be kind.