Kindness 101

Hi, Everyone. I hope your new school year is going well!

I recently purchased a picture of a quote that I now make a point to read every day: In a world where you can be anything, be kind. What a valuable life-long guidepost! And that is the focus of today's post.

Words can cause such harm, leaving scars that can damage and hurt people for years. I don’t know about you, but there are things I regret having said. Sometimes apologies are never enough to take back hurtful words hurled in unguarded moments. Worse, regrettable consequences that might follow may last forever.

An extreme lack of kindness surfaces as bullying in many schools – we’ve all heard about instances of this in the news. Hopefully none of you have experienced it. You just don’t want that happening at your place of learning, whether it’s religious, private, public or even at home. Many students can’t make a difference on a huge scale, but they can affect and make better the spheres they operate in. How can you make a difference in your learning environment? Even better, how can you make a difference in your home?

This is an opportunity you can use to build your character. And operating in kindness is an attribute that you will benefit from throughout your lifetime. What are some practical ways you can do this?

• Say hello. Sometimes people just want to know that someone notices them.

• Think before you speak.

• Consider the other person’s feelings.

• Never purposefully embarrass or humiliate someone.

• Don’t talk badly about someone.

• Choose to help others look good with a sincere compliment.

• Stick up for the underdog.

• Notice a person who feels left out of the group, sitting alone at lunch or who always gets picked last – and then invite them to join in.

One of my daughters was especially good at this. During her school years, kids who were painfully shy, weren’t with the “in group” or who had a disability were always invited to her parties and activities. We were thrilled when the other kids subsequently involved them as we did. Years later, one of those girls told Jessica how much she and her sister had appreciated that kindness. It had changed their school experience for the better. What a gift!

So as you start out this school year, I encourage you – take opportunities to be kind. In fact, make opportunities to be kind. Such simple acts cost us little, but might make a huge difference for someone who could use a friend. And as is often the case, the one who might benefit the most may very well be you.