Kindness: If Not Now, Then When?
The Value of Kindness
Kindness and empathy are the most needed values in today’s world. The more we get lost in the rush of this fast paced world, the more we need to remind ourselves to be considerate of everyone around us. As we often hear, the best things in life are free. One can live this belief by indulging in simple acts of kindness in our daily lives. These random acts of kindness can help change the world, not just for the beneficiary of the kind act, but also for the person who is performing a kind act. Read this piece by Akshi Bharadwaj, based on a prize winning speech that she delivered.
There is no greater intelligence than kindness and empathy.
Bryant McGill, Voice of Reason
Values and Ethics: If not now, then when?
I’ve always enjoyed public speaking. The stage was my safe haven, where I could freely express myself.
I tried something new a few days ago at an inter-school competition, and it earned me first runner-up. But the triumph of the prize winning speech was not the certificate. It was what one of the judges of the event said to me after I concluded my speech – “You sounded like you felt every word of what you said, values and ethics are the need of the hour. Excellent work!”
You cannot do kindness too soon,
Ralph Waldo Emerson
for you never know how soon it will be too late.
So here is what I presented to the audiences that day. I hope it makes a difference.
The Prize Winning Speech: Manifesting Kindness
Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Mark Twain
Thank you for turning your attention to the importance of manifesting kindness in today’s times. To begin with, let me tell you about one of Robert Frost’s most renowned poem – “Dust of snow”, in which the author got a change of heart after a bird shook snow on him from a hemlock tree. I believe that the snow is symbolic of all acts of kindness. In fact, it reminds me of this insightful quote
Kindness is like snow, it beautifies everything it covers.
Kahlil Gibran
Kindness: A Beautiful Gift
I am sure we all have witnessed someone helping a blind person cross the street, or someone giving their seat to an elderly person or a pregnant woman in the metro, or someone buying lunch for a poor child. These simple acts of kindness impact our perspective towards the world and remind us that there is something greater than having a luxurious car or a lavish house. After all, having these values and ethics embedded in oneself, is a greater gift than any other.
A few days ago, I was browsing through stories and anecdotes of people over the internet and stumbled upon a story from Arkansas.
I went on with my day but somehow this narrative stuck with me.
What do we desire the most from our loved ones and friends?
A one of a kind story
A woman named Leslie was trying to make ends meet and one day at the supermarket she began removing items from her bags because she couldn’t pay the bills. That’s when another shopper offered to pay for her and she politely refused.
He said “My mother is in the hospital with cancer. I visit her every day and bring her flowers. I went this morning, and she got mad at me for spending my money on more flowers. She demanded that I do something else with that money. So, here, please accept this. It is my mother’s flowers.”
Our primary wants are for affection and care, but we also seek for sympathy and understanding of the hardships that we are facing. While we want our family to provide us with care, safety, support, and guidance, we want our friends to provide us with loyalty, honesty, emotional resonance, and respect.
Isn’t it our responsibility to embrace these values and ethics in ourselves?
If we want to be a better friend and family member, we must incorporate these values into our personality and treat people the way we want to be treated.
Kindness in the Air!
I remember the time I was flying down to Mumbai to meet my sister. I forgot about the rule preventing liquids in carry-on luggage. When I hit the security check at the airport, I had to give up all painting supplies.
When I returned a week later, an attendant was at the baggage area with my paints. Not only had she kept them for me, she had looked up my return date and time, in order to meet me and bring the color back into my life!
Thereafter, I never used those paints.
Instead, I saved them as a reminder that you will encounter people who will profoundly affect you with their generosity and morals.
Kindness of all kinds
Needless to say, there are many different ways to show love and care. Contributions to charitable organizations is always good, but there are also countless acts of kindness. Remember that little things can make a big difference too. Kind acts can be contagious and gives us the sense of purpose and meaning of life.
If not now, then when?
With this question for all of us to ponder, I close this piece with the anticipation of a generous and nicer tomorrow.
Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the figure of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Related Read: Circle of Kindness
About The Author
Akshi Bharadwaj, a high school student, is a master orator and has a keen eye for detail. Akshi is passionate about reading and writing. She is outspoken and committed to issues like animal rights and gender equality.
Akshi is working under a number of organizations to bring a change. She is diligent, dedicated and has a positive work ethic.
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This is such a beautiful piece of writing. It is so good to see people realizing the importance of kindness and prioritize being a better person! I am soooooo impressed by this!! Looking more from you Akshi!!
This is so beautiful .. Youth full of kindness is all what we need in the society to grow and to have a wonderful tomorrow… Keep it up