“Kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” Albert Schweitzer.
Earlier this term, I shared a couple of articles on living well. As parents we want our children to learn to live well and one of the most powerful things we can do for our children is to teach them how to be kind. Kindness is one of those things that anybody, regardless of age or background finds attractive. It can be caring for others even when they don’t care for you. The toughest person might be touched by an act of kindness. It’s a virtue that affects both the giver and receiver.
Kindness has been described as doing what you can, where you are, with what you have. It’s not necessarily generosity, but it might be. It’s being friendly, caring and considerate of those around us. It’s not doing those things for show or reward. Some people are given to acts of extraordinary kindness – where they give of themselves at great cost. I’m thinking of Foster carers who open their homes to strangers’ children and welcome children who are in desperate need in. We hear of volunteers who give of themselves tirelessly. Now, not everyone can do this sort of thing, but we can all make some sort of difference to another’s life.
How do we teach our children to be considerate of and concerned for others? I suspect most of you probably know what I’m going to say next! Yes, it’s by modelling kindness ourselves. Being kind to our partners and children can be tough at times. They often see us at our worst, however, we can choose to be kind to them. Listen to them really intently. Be there for them regardless. Let them know that they are important to you. Parents still need to be firm with children, but try hard to have shared activities, like family mealtimes (without TV or devices), times for sharing about the day, bedtime stories and the like. Encouraging children to do jobs at home without any expectation of pocket money teaches them that we all have something to contribute.
Let your children see you slow to allow a car in front of you. Smiling and asking the checkout assistant how her day is going, is an act of kindness. Take an interest in people. You’ll feel better as will the other person. Your children will see that you value people. Being kind to our families and to outsiders teaches our children that not only are they important to you, so too are other people. No act of kindness, regardless of size or type, is ever wasted.
One doesn’t have to be an extrovert to be kind to another. A silent smile, friendly word or nod of encouragement might make another person’s day. Is that something you would choose to do?
If you want to read a wonderful story of kindness in the Bible, check out the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
“Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.” (Mother Theresa)
