Celebrate Kindness

The Huntingtower mantra is ALWAYS BE KIND ALL- WAYS. While at present the world's focus seems to be on the spread of contagion, the following article by Beverley Goldsmith shows the benefits of kindness and spreading joy instead.

Celebrate kindness. Whether you’re at home or work, show your appreciation to others whenever they say or do something kind – your kids included! It’s important to acknowledge all those kind words or deeds with a big smile, a thank you, or encouraging praise such as ‘well done’ or ‘good job’. Celebrating kindness spreads joy. It also encourages us to be kinder to each other in every aspect of day-to-day living – behind the wheel, at the shop counter, at work and in the classroom.

What is kindness? It’s the quality of being gentle, caring and helpful to others. It’s being spontaneously considerate, saying a friendly hello, doing a good deed, or undertaking a kind act for someone without any thought of reward. Kindheartedness is spiritual and it springs from the great heart of divine Love – the source of goodwill.

In Australia, kindness is alive and well in people’s hearts and actions. It may have taken the recent bush fire crisis to bring this to the fore. Yet, compassion, generosity, goodwill, community mindedness and consideration for others are always lying just beneath the surface ready to spring into life.

TIPS TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE KINDNESS

Give thanks every time you see, hear or read about acts of kindness. Take a moment to celebrate the goodness that’s been expressed. Don’t gloss over what’s been done or take it for granted. Acknowledge every example of bigheartedness.

Undertake acts of kindness with your kids or grandchildren. This is a great way to bond as a family and teach youngsters about compassion and service. Doing good to others is one of the most enjoyable activities there is. Every act of kindness is powerful and can have a positive effect.

Be unselfish. Acknowledge the worthiness of someone’s kindness by expressing your appreciation to them. Every kind deed, no matter how insignificant it may seem, needs to be treasured and celebrated because it promotes generosity of spirit, unity and harmony. 'If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbour unselfishly.' (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p.9:11–14)

Be nice to others wherever you go. Speak gently. Be pleasant, polite. 'Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.' (The Bible, Colossians 3:12) You’ll be a joy to everyone you meet.

Celebrate kindness by passing kindness along. If someone opens the door for you, express your gratitude to that person right away and then pass that kindness along by doing the same for someone else. Don’t keep your kindness bottled up. Share tenderhearted kindness. It’s good for your health.

Beverly Goldsmith, Christian Science Practitioner

Thinking of others: the Simunye Free Dress Day