Can kindness become cool?

Living in a day and age where life is experienced at such a fast rate, it is easy to forget the small things that can go a long way. Being kind to someone is one of the easiest yet most difficult gestures to maintain in our society. Contrary to popular belief, it is not always easy to be kind to others. Perhaps it is because it is hard to change ones’ impression of you? Or maybe it is just not in a person’s characteristics to be kind to others. Regardless of what the reason may be, being kind to others can make ones’ day brighter. I do not know about you all, but I need a few “pick me ups” here and there just to make it through the day or week.

Although being kind is harder for some than others, it is very feasible for anyone to achieve. It takes continuous effort and self- evaluation on your part. Being mindful of the feelings of those who surround you each and every day is key. I do not have the “guidelines” to being kind but I do feel as though it is a personal choice. We make a conscious choice regarding how we want to treat people everyday but being kind should be simple. Treat everyone the way that you would like to be treated. Simple enough, right?

Growing up as a little girl, I can recall many instances where someone’s kindness helped push me through different stages and dilemmas of my life. There were times where my siblings and I would go without the necessities of life, but luckily we were blessed to have people surrounding us that did not hesitate to take us in, feed us and make sure that we were okay. Granted they did not have to do those things for us, after all, we were of no relation to them…most of the time not even of the same race, but they were there to help us every step of the way simply out of the kindness of their heart.

Not that relation or color matter when referring to kindness or ANYTHING ELSE for that matter, it just makes the act all more appreciated because in actuality no one owes us anything in this world. In life, you have individuals on both sides of this spectrum. Which one are you? Do you make a conscious decision each day to be intentional in your interaction with others? I can honestly sit here and say that I do.

Those of you that truly know me KNOW how cordial I am. I will literally walk up to a stranger and speak with no hesitation and will have made a friend by the end of our conversation. Needless to say that it is my intent to be nice to others. I feel better about myself knowing that I have made someone’s day with a simple act of kindness. No, it is not me being “fake” or “extra” but it is simply how God has made me. Granted, I have not always been this way but it has taken a continuous effort on my part to be that difference that I want to see in other people. Smiling, paying someone a compliment about their hair, make up or outfit or giving someone a hug should be something that is second nature for us. Unfortunately, it is not.

I think that it is safe to say that society has gotten away from being kind. Maybe we have just been conditioned to stay in our own lane and mind our business? In doing so, we have cut down on the act of socializing when communicating with people on a daily basis is necessary for our mental psyche. Though this may be the case for most of us, it is essential that we continue to strive harder each day to make a difference in the lives of others because at the end of the day, you never know what someone is going through. I have had many occasions where I was down on my luck and a stranger said something to me in a store or at the gas station that completely changed my mindset for that day. I, in turn, would then return that same gesture to another stranger throughout my day.

We, as a society, need to understand that being kind to people is a lifestyle choice…you have to want to make it work. Being kind is not a gesture shown to someone until you get what you want from him or her nor is it something that you should do for recognition or validation. Being kind to others is being kind to yourself with that same token. Simply put, being kind is and always should be from the heart because in the end, what goes around comes around and what you feed into a person is what you will receive from a person.

rvaden@blythevillecourier.com