T
he greatest power of human kind we all forgot about is hidden behind the simplest act described by a single word – KINDNESS!
Kindness is a natural gift we all possess. It’s not a privilege of the privileged. Quite in contrary!
Pam Brown (b. 1928) described it by saying that:
The kindness is a part of the natural gift of destitute, miserable and despised. It’s a real test of human value.
Somewhere deep inside we all know and are aware of the power of kindness, for me, the best described by Mark Twain’s saying.
Although somehow, we all often forget it, putting it aside or sometimes even completely neglecting it. Almost like we don’t need it. But, we do!
We all need kindness, both ways, not only to receive it what we would maybe admit easier (although just to ourselves) but as well to give it.
How to be kind in those moments when we are:
- hurt, angry, scared, sad, upset or even mad;
- when we feel disappointed, abandoned, deceived, neglected;
- when we are judged or accused wrongly, misunderstood or even completely not understood;
- when we are rejected and thrown away;
- when our accomplishments and efforts are not recognized, valued or even less rewarded;
- when we are ill, helpless and exhausted, overwhelmed by work and obligations, too tired and overly burdened with all sorts of concerns?
A French moralist and essayist from the 18th century, Joseph Joubert offered us an answer on that one:
“A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.”
But, how to be kind in all these situations when it seems that whole our instincts are designed to force us to react entirely different in totally opposite direction, far from kindness?
Besides, we don’t want to appear weak, small, harmed, frightened, threatened, hopeless, helpless, devastated, powerless and lost.
But, who would think of kindness in such situations or even less about Samuel Johnson’s words?
In our defense and protection, we would reach for everything and anything. We would pull out all the ‘weapons’ we have at our disposal, sometimes even the ‘heavy artillery.’
We would quarrel, bargain, argue, swear, curse, fight, bully, frighten and threaten back, seek for the revenge, slam doors, and build walls.
Therefore, 32nd US president, Franklin Roosevelt once said:
“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”
Unfortunately, we usually forget that. We forget we are already holding in our possession that most powerful and gentlest ‘sword’ hidden in every single even smallest act of kindness.
Most frequently by keeping it in the holder, we miss unleashing that huge and almost magical knight’s force.
Kindness – the greatest power given to human kind!
The wisest and wealthiest king of all times, King Solomon knew that:
“Kindness and faithfulness keep a king safe. Through kindness, his throne is made secure.”
About 300 years later Greek fabulist and storyteller, Aesop teach us something about kindness too:
“The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.”
Nowadays, something very similar we heard from John Gerzema, CEO at “Harris Insights & Analytics”, a market research company for public opinion, brand, and reputation strategy, more widely known as “The Harris Poll.” He said:
“Transparency, honesty, kindness, good stewardship, even humor, work in businesses at all times.”
I know, I would have to remind myself from time to time, to use the kindness over and over again, and never give up.
And I’m not talking about some colloquial empty one. I’m talking about sincere kindness!
If this article inspires you just a little to do the same, I’m looking forward to meeting you in the better world we are going to build with kindness, every day more.
