"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
