WHEN KINDNESS LIGHTS THE WAY

 

Matthew 7:13-14

'Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly and most underrated agent of human change'  Bob Kerry

The light in another's eyes when your gaze meets theirs and you both smile. You are called in for a blood test. The nurse, although clearly under a lot of pressure with the volume of work, cheerfully greets you. " How are you?" you ask, and she replies " Thank you.You know, you are the only person who has asked me that!" You return home to find a bag full of food supplies on your doorstep from a neighbour. A friend hasn't contacted you for ages so you call them just to ask " Hi, how are things going?"

Nowadays, with our frenetic and chaotic lives, lots of things have gone on the back burner. We are running around in a constant state of "busyness" that leaves little time for the people and things that really matter, or even for ourselves. Half the time, if we're honest, we don't even know what we have done at the end of the day. Maybe it seems impressive to always be seen 'doing something', but what is the underlying cost? Is it really worth it to see life go flashing by? Shouldn't the things that really count in your life be how you treat people and how you use your abilities to make things better?

'I don't have time to be worrying about these things', I may hear you say, but I'm writing this whilst we are in lockdown in Parma in North Italy during the Coronavirus. If we all adopted that attitude now, I think things would get a lot worse. This is a (hopefully) unique opportunity to take stock of where you are, what kind of person you are when the pressure hits and how you decide to go on.What should be remembered is that kindness has a knock-on, reciprocal effect. If we choose to ignore it in simple every day choices then how can we hope to receive it in the quality of service we receive or the relationships we hold with others?

I have been overwhelmed by the incredible kindness I have received from others, be it hospital staff reassuring me with continued patience as they work against the clock to help everyone, friends sending funny emails and support or a kind word from a passer-by. Kindness is not just a simple act, it's a natural reaction that stimulates a series of responses and can even change someone's life. Sounds dramatic? Maybe so, but that is exactly the gift that you can offer with your response.

What do you have in your hand now that you can offer? It is not too late to start helping - everyone's contribution is needed now more that ever. That one "hello" you offer may be the only contact a person has, today or even this week. No act of generosity is too small. Consider for a moment if the shoe was on the other foot. Too often we judge by what we think we see and fail to see the amazing person inside. Life is a gift and too short for more regrets, and the current situation merely highlights that fragility. With that in mind, why not take this time to pick up the phone? Or take steps to realise that dream that could help many more people? This is not a dress rehearsal, give it everything you've got, now is the time. Will you choose the narrow road to kindness and light the way?


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