Quote: Kindness
Apr 30th, 2007 by jeremy
Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read.
–Mark Twain
I think it was back in the 1980s that the “Random Acts of Kindness” concept was popularized, appearing on coffee mugs in every office across the nation. The concept was a great one, and it is something that stuck with people for a time. I may not be the best at it, but I recognize the value of it and try to remember to do something kind for those around me when I do. I always say my wife is a saint, and particularly when it comes to doing small kind acts for others. She is a great example to me.
Later in the 90s Haley Joe Osment encouraged us to “Pay it Forward” and now billboards display “Pass it On” in an ongoing reminder to do good by those around us. Apparently we need the reminder!
Kindness is not always an act of service either; it can simply be the way we treat others around us. Taking a moment to be interested in someone else, paying a compliment, and even simply a kind hello with a smile can go a long way. Twain’s quote is a good one, reminding me that everyone understands kindness. Kindness is a universal language.
Make it a goal in the next few days to pick a specific act of kindness you can do for someone that you would not do in your typical day. By putting aside this time that you think and do something for another person, you are not focusing on yourself and I guarantee you will enjoy that feeling you get when you have done it.
