Kindness is the act of showing thoughtful attention to others, treated them with compassion and empathy and helping their world be better, even if just for a moment. It is the act of giving comfort, encouragement and/or joy to others without thought of being repaid in any way. It's driven by ethical concern for others and not the need for recognition. There is so much power in kindness. The smallest act of kindness can be remembered for a lifetime and will have a ripple effect that can touch many lives. You're kind to me, which enables me to be kind to him, which enables him to feel more kindly towards them...and on and on.
Kindness is my "go-to" virtue. It's the one that feels best for me, is easiest to put into play, makes me feel like I'm in my element. But I've been called out a few times for making my "end mission" kindness. I've been caught avoiding certain unpleasant but necessary tasks so I could avoid feeling unkind. I'm working on that. Not by giving up kindness as a core value, but by realizing that kindness is a way of travel and not a destination. There are times when kindness does not feel kind in the moment. There will be times when kindness is next to impossible. Keep constantly in the realm of compassion and empathy, respect and ethical concern, and it will impart kindness wherever you go, whatever you do. Even when you're having to set boundaries and dole out tough love.
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~ Plato
Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. ~ Samuel Johnson
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ~ Aesop
A part of kindness consists n loving people more than they deserve. ~ Joseph Joubert
That best portion of a good person's life: his little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. ~ William Wordsworth
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