"Perhaps we're too embarrassed to change or too frightened of the consequences of showing that we actually care. But why not risk it anyway?
Begin Today!
Carry out an act of kindness, with no expectation of reward or punishment. Safe in the knowledge that one day, someone somewhere might do the same for you." Princess Diana
I have always been touched by the above quotation by Princess Diana and have been actively involved in various kindness projects throughout the years, however something that happened in my life has made me think about exactly what "kindness" really means to me.
A friend called me recently to tell me that one of her daughter's teachers had committed suicide. Needless to say, everyone involved was extremely upset by this.
Many looked upon this as a selfish act on the part of the teacher. I thought to myself how quick we are to judge another, after the fact. How terribly slow we are to recognize the walking wounded all around us.
The news of this teacher's suicide reminded me of a story I read about an elderly woman who had decided to take her life one morning, but someone had stopped to feed the pigeons with her in the park, and the kindness of that one stranger changed her mind and saved her life. We can never know what is in another person's heart, or how much pain they be experiencing. And for some people, the pain may be so great, that living no longer seems an option for them.
We may never know the sometimes immense consequences upon another, of an unkind word, a thoughtless deed, or a hasty decision, made from an unexamined heart.
Each day, everyone of us has a new opportunity to make a huge difference in this world. If I had one dream for humanity, it would be that tomorrow morning we would all wake up with amnesia. We would then see the world for the first time, with new eyes, the way a new born baby sees it, except that we would be in a grown up body.
We would have no conception of what was considered beautiful or good or important, according to society's ridiculous standard of worth. Everything and everyone would be a blessed opportunity for us, just the way they are.
Life would be waiting with another possibility to be all that we could be. Another opportunity, to practice the gift of kindness in every moment.
Another chance, to rise above our mere mortal existence and for that one grand moment in time, to walk among the gods.
Another day to love.
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Veronica Hay is the author of In a Dream, You Can Do Anything, A Collection of Words, An Extraordinary Collection Of Writings That Will Uplift You, Motivate You, Inspire You, And Gently Guide You Along The Inner Path Of Your Life. An Inspirational CardShop in an E-Book. This e-book is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Click Here: http://www.insightsandinspirations.com
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