My Thoughts on Kindness !

I was reading Corinne’s blog on The Power Of Kindness and also the links that was shared so generously about a few more bloggers who have made very inspiring posts on kindness. Every post was a beautiful, and brought so much insights in to my life... …. reading these posts reminded me of all the Kindness I have experienced at various times in my life too! 

You can read these links to, which are worth reading….Sunita reminds us that kindness begins with ourselves.  Alana shares about how another blogger reached out to her about her fear of falling.  Gretchen Kelly shared lessons in kindness from the worst day of her life

This brought to my memory of my childhood and how the sisters of charity, a congregation who were so kind to admit me and my other brothers and sisters in their school. I remember the fee concessions, wherein a very small fee was charged for admitting me in the English medium school and all the text books and note books provided free of cost to me till the primary section, and later on I was motivated and encouraged to complete my 10^th standard from the same school.

There was one sister by name Sr Loreta who was very kind to me; and saw the potential in me;when everyone else around me felt doubtful of my capacity, this one sister identified my strength and was kind towards me to give me a gentle push to complete my graduation.

Then came my friends who found me and showed kindness by affirming me, stood by me and bonded with me so well that they have now become companions for life. I continued to experience kindness form various groups that I associated myself with the youth group in my parish, choir, the local prayer group, the charismatic city group and of course the NSS group in college have all been a great source of encouragement, learning and support that has helped me build confidence in myself.

I have grown in self esteem because of all these people who have touched my life; and have shaped me into a person of gratitude.  I feel a great sense of gratitude only because of the kindness I experience even till date. There were days in my life wherein  I worked as a  young graduate in a school for Rs 400 per month, and seeing my struggle a kind teacher helped me find home tuition wherein I taught 3 small children after school to earn another 200 rupees to add to my monthly salary.  In those days it was a very big amount for me and I was glad to be earning at an early age.

The parents of those children were very warm, friendly and kind. Every day I was offered hot tea with snacks along with their children. Every year for their festival, especially for deepawali I was invited as a special guest and was picked by from my home by their driver and taken to their residence and was honoured with sweets and a small gift. I still recall the surprise gift that was given – a beautiful wrist watch as a token of appreciation, which was my first wrist watch in my life.

There were also situations wherein I had a colleague of mine taking me for a physiotherapy every day for a whole month to the centre till my right leg that had a hairline fracture was healed completely. I can go on and on with so many others similar experiences which I have not forgotten but recall and remember them with gratitude.

While we celebrate this world kindness day: it’s now my turn to give back what I have received in abundance, so here I go to all that I attempted to do in the last few days:

I went out for a long walk all by myself to show kindness to my own body, and practice affirmations as I walked alone with a smile.

I also made a conscious decision to shop so that I am able to make a healthy and nutritious meal for myself and my family.

I acknowledged and gave a little extra tip to the guy at the petrol bunk who washed my bike.

I helped a young cab driver with a bottle of water, when I found that his bottle was empty, and his lips dry.

I decided to volunteer for a session to the youngsters during a holiday; and I did feel good about this experience.

I gave a surprise visit to a sick person and spent some time enquiring and listening to all the health problems the person was experiencing.

I messaged notes of kindness to few of my friends and told them personally how blessed I am because of them in my life.

I am glad to send something to the needy kids through my daughter for a share and care programme. I hope to continue to be kind in thought, word and deed.

Let us pledge to be kind not just for the world kindness day! But always as we journey along with gratitude…  “Be Kind whenever possible, it is always possible” says Dalai Lama

Keep smiling & Be Happy!