Long before I learned that the quote “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” is attributed to the Dalai Lama, I heard it from my mother and grandmother. They were examples of that quote throughout their lives and proved that no act of kindness is ever wasted. They taught me the kindness alphabet.
I had the privilege to grow up in a family where generosity is a way of life. Regardless of how individual each member’s nature was, they all had this in common — kindness and generosity. They never hesitated to take the shirt off their backs to give it to someone who needed it, feed the hungry, and speak kind words.
Often, I would secretly wonder if they weren’t behaving like wimps — and I am ashamed now that the thought even crossed my mind. I now realize that it takes a lot of strength to always practice kindness even when other less desirable options are justified…especially when people reciprocate by being unkind.
As my uncle still says — “I never want to go to bed feeling bad about being nasty to someone. I enjoy sleeping in peace.” I have to agree!
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
— Leo Buscaglia
I am pleased that my son knows the kindness alphabet and the credit goes to my mom. When his birthday is around the corner and I ask him what he wants, he says I should feed the children at the local welfare home. I feel blessed.
All these people influenced my life, both in and outside my family today, and made me realize that kindness should be my norm.
It feels humbling to think of all the good karma I’ve collected through simply being nice. Today, 17th February, is Random Acts of Kindness Day, a day to celebrate and encourage random acts of kindness.
A little spark of kindness can put a colossal burst of sunshine into someone’s day!
My A to Z Random Acts of Kindness aka the Kindness Alphabet
A Asking myself each morning, what kindness can I practice today?
B Being kind to myself.
C Compliment two people every day. Cook a little extra, pack it up, and give it to someone who needs it.
D Donate a book, money, blood, food, clothes to my street workers.
E Encourage someone — send loving messages to people I know
F Find something to give away every day — I am on a mission to declutter.
Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
— Princess Diana
G Give a gift for no reason.
H Help someone by buying them a meal, helping them cross the road, carrying their bags.
I Invite my neighborhood workers for tea.
J Jazz up someone’s day by giving them flowers.
K Keep aside some coins to put in a little jar every day and when it fills up, donate it or use it to buy something for someone.
L Listen to someone who wants to talk and needs a friendly ear.
Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.
M Make a greeting card for someone and post it/email it to them.
N Nourish myself with good thoughts, good food, good books.
O Omit something that makes me unhappy from my day.
P Phone someone I haven’t been in touch with and have been meaning to call.
Q Quit complaining. I once tried this for seven days. And oh yes, I felt much better.
A little kindness from person to person is better than a vast love for all humankind.
— Richard Dehmel
R Run errands for an elderly neighbor. We have many in our building.
S Smile at everyone I see. On special occasions, I do something for my local charity — sponsor a meal or make a cash donation.
T Thank all the people I meet, including the lift operator and all those workers who make a difference in my life.
U Unplug my devices and go out and spend the day in a park. Or at a nearby Home for the Elderly.
V Visit the local welfare home and give something. Volunteer.
W Write in my gratitude journal, write a letter to someone who has shown me kindness.
X Xpress my “I love you” to each family member, the ones that live with me and the ones that are far away.
Y Yield. If I am being stubborn about something trivial, try to give in. It is okay to put a smile on someone’s face.
Z Zzzz. Yes, promise myself I’ll get enough sleep.
I keep a giveaway chest in my living room where I add things to donate. Each time I step out, I carry something from it to give away. A wonderful habit thanks to my mom who did it regularly.
What random act of kindness can you do today?
What will you pick from the Kindness Alphabet?
