In a world where you can be anything-be kind !

Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness. Humans have always been social and have survived evolution by covering another person’s back. Communities were formed to overcome threats from wild animals and other dangers. There is always strength in collective numbers. 

Overtime, societies were formed and man began to travel. Once the agriculture and cultivation of crops were discovered , humans settlements started forming on delta regions and near rivers. Subsequently, religion played a role in dividing mankind into ethnic groups. Slowly the human was being alienated and started becoming selfish. Everything in the present world is about self. When we talk of success we are thinking how WE can be successful. Children are taught to be competitive and be the best in class. Young men compete in the job market to put down another to get the coveted job. The mindset changed. 

Unfortunately we are missing the mindset of our ancestors who took care of each other. From the time you are born parents takes care of you , in school the teachers teach you, as a young person your spouse gives you loves , the leader in a workplace is motivating you to excel. All the while you are receiving yet you forget to give. This is the service mindset we need to develop to be happy. The first step towards the mindset is self-awareness . If we can turn the table and have another perspective we will see the beauty of life. 

Kindness and compassion are inborn qualities until we are corrupted by the world. The pandemic looks like an end of an era. We are going into the new future. Now is the time to rediscover the humaneness and vulnerability of existence. The covid19 has shown us the fragility of life and how important it is to care for each other. It would be dangerous if we all of us are thinking only about ourselves. The pandemic would wipe us out in no time. People would not quarantine and pass on the virus indiscriminately. 

Let us rekindle the kindness in our bundle of emotions this season. Sometimes it does not even cost us much.

1.     Buy a stranger coffee

2.     Like all the social media posts of friends 

3.     Leave nice comments on social media posts

4.     Write a positive message and leave it in public places to put a smile on people

5.     Help a elderly neighbour with grocery shopping or getting them something to read

6.     Take home made brownies for your co-workers 

7.     Slip a tulsi tea bag in a cover into a friends purse with a loving note to relax

8.     Baby sit for a stressful mother 

9.     Praise a parent for doing a great job with their kids

10.  When someone is struggling to take a selfie, ask them if they need a photo

11.  Help people with umbrellas on a rainy day

12.  Gift the books you have already read 

13.  Make someone laugh everyday

14.  Forgo a debt you had given your friend 

15.  Remember birthday and wish people 

16.  Call your parents and grandparents regularly 

17.  Donate a student’s education 

18.  Give a packed lunch to the domestic help 

19.  Flowers can change a persons mood. Visit a hospital and present flowers

20.  Donate stuffed toys to the under privileged children in the street

21.  Tip the waiter well

22.  Pay the toll for the person behind you.

23.   Feed the street dogs 

24.  Let someone go ahead of you in the check-out line

25.  Volunteer in old age homes