An act of kindness

Gayle, a follower of this blog, sent a beautiful message to me earlier that came from the Daily Om. It was about kindness. About extending kindness as a way to create a kinder, more loving world. Here's the part that I connected to -- the person doesn't need to "deserve" it.

Do you ever find yourself doling out kindnesses only to those people you think deserve it? How difficult is it to extend kindness to those you think don't deserve it? Sometimes I certainly find that difficult, so I withhold.

Here's what I realized in that moment I read that passage -- being kind is a reflection of who you truly are. It's not about whether someone else deserves it. Extending kindness is also one of the quickest ways to connect with your true self -- to be "momentarily disconnected from your ego and bonded with the individual who has benefited from your kindness."

This email went on to say: "All living beings thrive on kindness. A single, sincere compliment can turn a person’s entire world around. Holding a door or thanking someone who has held a door for you can inspire others to practice politeness and make already kind individuals feel good about their efforts. Smiling at people you meet—even those who make you feel like frowning—can turn a dreary encounter into a delightful one, for both of you. Every kind act has a positive influence on the individual who has performed said act as well as on the recipient, regardless of whether the act is acknowledged."

Thank you, Gayle, for sharing this with me. Your kindness is greatly appreciated and applauded!

Love,
Andrea