Who will do an act of kindness today?
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
September 11, 2009 6:39am CST
Henry James once wrote, "Three things in human life are important,the first is to be kind, the second is to be kind, the third is to be kind". There are many ways to do this, but sometimes it's best shown in the things we don't say,don't keep track of and don't notice. In other words letting our friends, co-workers or spouses be imperfect sometimes, because we will no doubt have reason to hope that they will return the favour some day. We usually think of kindness as things we can do to help others like mowing a neighbours lawn, or helping an elderly person with packages, and all of these are are great and we should all try to do at least one act of kindness every day, but sometimes giving another a break when they mess up is the greatest kindness of all.
2 people like this
8 responses
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
12 Sep 09
"but sometimes giving another a break when they mess up is the greatest kindness of all"[i][/i][b][/b]
I liked that phrase very much Pose. And it was kind of a "wake-up call". Your discussion remind me of my elder sister and her husband. My brother-in-law is what you call a little clumsy. He tends to make mistakes over the littlest things. And this irritates my sister to no end. She's constantly frustrated with his clumsiness. And they end up arguing about it. But in fairness to my brother-in-law, most of the time he just lets my sister have her rant without speaking at all.
Well, if my sister ever have the chance to read your discussion, I guess she'll start having second thoughts about the way she feels about his clumsiness.
1 person likes this
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
12 Sep 09
hi pose123,
i already did. first, i allowed my caregiver to go home this morning and visit her family for the weekend. second, i prepared a special breakfast for my family and third, a plan to take my family out for a treat this afternoon.
and hugs and kisses for my husband and kids!
have a great weekend.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
11 Sep 09
My act of kindness was in giving up my room to my son, in order that he had something a bit bigger than a shoebox to do his college studies in.
A real act of kindness would be to rid my neighbourhood of the "family from hell" who beat him up a few weeks back - and got away with it scot free. As it is, all I can do is slog my guts out earning enough cash to move my kids and me to a nicer part of town.
Well, we'll have a nice christmas, anyway. I believe in karma, do unto others etc ... by working hard and providing for my family, I'm taking them further and further from the chav/live off benefits/harm those who show us up for what we are - trash species we currently have to live among.
Kindness begins at home.
@Jackie2009ws (113)
• China
12 Sep 09
To be kind--I think that's our instinct that triggers us to act like that.As we are all humen beings,there is no reason not to be kindness to each other.Couples,relatives,friends,co-workers,teachers and students,boss and employees.,etc.Maybe it's just a smile,a simple "Hello",or a handshake whatever,that make others feel good as well as yourself.
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
11 Sep 09
Thank You I have to say this message packs a bunch. It gave me something to think about and this is the first time I have read this message. I like it. 
@good2go2001 (915)
• United States
11 Sep 09
Wow ive never thought of it that way, sorta like emotional kindness. Im sure this would shock some people since when someone messes up people are quick to jump to point out the mistake. Thanks for the different view on this.
1 person likes this
