QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any
kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let
me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.
—William Penn (1644-1718) English Quaker and founder of
Pennsylvania, USA
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
Much has been written about kindness. Books and quotations are plentiful. Every day we can witness acts of kindness in one form or another. But are we just an observer or are we an active participant in the waves of kindness that can change the shoreline of peoples' lives?
Think about the last time you did a simple act of kindness or when an act of kindness was done to you. Was there an ulterior motive behind the action or was it a natural, unconditional expression of caring and love? How did it make you feel? The expression of kindness is a simple act. It does not require a great analysis of profit and loss. It does not take massive planning or weighing all the pros and cons before acting. It just takes doing. Perhaps you give a simple smile in passing. Or maybe you offer help to those in need. You may speak a kind word, or no words, you just listen. Kindness is the simple act of stepping out of our self-important world—with its computers, palm pilots, planners, schedules, running hither and yon—and just giving to another because it is the right thing to do. Kindness grows and is given again and again. A hateful act or an apathetic act will also grow, or perhaps fester is a better choice of words. Which would you rather have? Which would you rather do?
Be kind to those in need and even to those not in need. The seed of kindness that you plant today will sprout forth and propagate. So what are you waiting for?
Blessings and Love,
Allen Schmeltz
Copyright © 1999 Allen F. Schmeltz. All rights reserved.
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