The Heart Of It | Kindness

This year of 2014 I have a few new year resolutions but they are more like goals that I want to accomplish. So I am going to choose one word to live by for this year. I want this word to come to mind through everything I am going through and set the tone for every new day. The word is kindness. Being kind to friends, family, and even strangers I may meet or pass by. When I think of kindness I think of putting others before yourself. Kindness is something you can never have enough of. Its something everyone enjoys receiving, and it can brighten someone's day, just like that!

It can be small or big acts. It can be simple or complex. But I want my kindness to be meaningful, and not fake. Sometimes I get tired of putting on the smile and happy face, because that's not how I always feel. I become tired of acting like I care, or like I'm listening. Sometimes the early morning classes and the busy schedule, becomes tired of repeating day in and day out, and it throws me off track. I become so focused on the things I need to get done, and don't stop to actually take time for conversation or get together with others.

And of course there are those moments when you run into people you haven't seen in a while, or people you don't particularly like or get along with. There are those times when you just wish you could back up and re-trace your steps and run away. To be honest this is what we do most of the time - turn around and walk away.

For me, kindness is not stepping back and walking away, or putting on that happy face when you feel the opposite. Kindness is being genuine. It's being honest and real. It's acknowledging others. It's saying hello to the people you pass by. Saying thank you, with a smile. Walking up to someone and giving them a hug, when you know they need one. It can be as simple as spending time with someone to let them know you care. Being friendly, to all you meet. There are never any acts of kindness, that are wasted.

This is not easy, but its simple. The days I really show my kindness to others, are the times when I feel the most happy, and full of energy. It makes me feel confident, and helps me climb out of my comfort zone. Being kind, puts my into a whole new mood and makes my day so much brighter. And that is exactly how I want to feel from now on. I will leave you with this quote that I read the other day by Mark Twain..."Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear, and the blind can see."