"You've got to try a little kindness, yes show a little kindness." Lyric from a Glen Campbell tune. I believe kindness is in and of itself no trouble at all, and goes a long way to grease the mechanics of life and relationships. I am very seldom purposefully unkind. I very often try to be kind and courteous. I cannot see the reason to go around being unkind. Well, I suppose I can see sometimes a person is so down they cannot reach in and pull any kindness out of themselves. And that is just the person who needs a little kindness the most!
It is not easy to be kind to someone who is unkind, yet is truly isn't any harder than being unkind back to them. A little kindness from you, might help them not be so unkind to the next person. And if they were to get a little kindness there, well, you see, it could grow and ripple. Then again, maybe not. They may have such a negative outlook that they don't even recognize the kindness you afforded them. But would that make your kindness any less?!
We are not responsible for how someone receives our kindness, or our respect, or our love, or us ourselves. We are responsible for what we present to them, for how we are toward them.
Is kindness your guide? Are you offended when someone doesn't respond well to your kindness?
Barbara
You are so right! Being kind to someone unkind is hard, but it makes ME feel better at least :)
ReplyDelete¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Good luck on the rest of your A to Z challenge
Sylvia @ The Creative Life
My brother made it home.
ReplyDeleteWe should all strive to be kind.
Hi. I don't like being unkind, either, it doesn't make me feel good, because you can see it hurting others, and I have never wanted to hurt someone else.
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - Dragon Diaries
I like being kind to people and animals even if it isn't always appreciated and sometimes people even attempt to 'take advantage ' because they perceive kindness as my stupidity. Doesn't matter is what I say.
ReplyDeleteKarma #Lexicon of Leaving
Being kind is for ourselves- it someone doesnt want to receive the kindness then its their loss. I try to always be kind ( unless in traffic). :)
ReplyDelete"Try a Little Kindness!" I remember that Glen Campbell tune! I used to watch his TV show every week.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite author one said in an interview that his mother used to say: "Let me be kind with the people on my path now. I may never come this way again."
ReplyDeleteI love that phylosophy :-)
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - 1940s Film Noir
I see being kind a type of self discipline and habit. You will never regret being nice. I always seem to regret when I wasn't.
ReplyDeleteHow you treat someone is your karma. How they respond is theirs. It can be hard to be kind to someone who is lashing out. It's more important to be kind to yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to be kind to those who are kind to you; the challenge is extending that kindness to those who aren't - especially to those who aren't.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy when your reserves run dry because kindness isn't reciprocated. That's when, I say, you need to give it most! Also, I believe at times, our kindness isn't immediately appreciated, but that person might someday remember your actions.
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Eli@CoachDaddy
K is for 7 Women I'd Sing Karaoke With
I remember that Glen Campbell song well. Often kindness is misunderstood and taken as a sign of weakness. In my books kindness and compassion trumps all.
ReplyDeleteSuzy at Someday Somewhere Kite Flying
I agree, I think kindness pretty much makes the world go 'round. But, it is definitely a choice. :)
ReplyDeleteVanessa @Vanessence
My "theme" - A Thirty-Word Story, revealing one word of the story each day of the challenge.
#AtoZChallenge The Letter K
Mankind is not very kind, but you are right: even though I know it, I still smart when met with unkindness. Ouch!
ReplyDeletekindness can be a challenge but i like to be kind
ReplyDeleteI tend to treat most everybody with civility. I even try to be nice to telemarketers although sometimes I can help having a bit of fun teasing them until they hang up on me.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I try to always hold loving-kindness as a guiding star, and understand it's a way of being, not doing. When you remove the transactional aspect, it matters less if kindness is received or returned.
ReplyDeleteI very much agree with the sentiment that it is generally just as easy to be kind as not - so I try to always be kind. There are moments when that is challenging - and if it is really TOO challenging, then I think it is sometimes simplest not to act than to be actively unkind, if you take my meaning. Lovely post - Louise
ReplyDeleteFunny how well your theme of kindness tied in with my story about Lainey. The people who are sometimes the hardest to love or to show a bit of kindness to are always the ones who need it most. Kindness has the power to overcome, the power to change, and the power to heal. I try really hard to never do anything unkind intentionally, though admittedly I have fallen short at times when I was tired or frustrated or angry. The older I get the more I've learned to check my behavior, and to respond from a place of love. It's hard if that doesn't get the hoped for response, but maybe down the road a bit that person will think about it and realize what the underlying message was.
ReplyDeleteBe kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle. I truly believe this.
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