Kindness

Random acts of kindness are one of the most uplifting things you can do and its free!

My Grandmother had a beautiful plaque that hung over her stove in the kitchen, the words read

" Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, Golden Rule". Now to a child of 8 years of age those words made me screw my face up and I would say "what does that mean Gran?"

She would take my hands and say "It says that when you treat others the way you would like them to treat you then you are living the Golden Rule of life and kindness will follow you where ever you go".

Well, that sure didn't seem to be the case as far as I could see in my young years and even into my 20's. I learnt very early in my life that the Golden Rule is not a rule that many people live by oh, except when they want something, but is that kindness?

Is kindness an inherent trait for only the few or is it a conscious choice?

Many years ago I was visiting Sydney NSW for the first time. As we walked along the street I was looking around and taking in the new sights, when I noticed that up ahead people seemed to be stepping over something on the pavement. As we got closer I could see it was a persons legs that people were stepping over. The man had been run over and left in the alley way, his broken legs were across the footpath.

Not one person stooped to see if he was OK or rendered any kind of kindness.

If you are wondering if I did, I guess you haven't met me :)

While walking my dog at the park one fine day a lady with physical challenges lost her grip on the lead for her dog and it ran straight toward the busy road. Other people in the park carried on with their walk some stopping to see who was screaming for their dog but no one moved a muscle.

If you are wondering did I offer to help...then I guess you haven't met me :)

Remember the plaque above my Grandmothers stove in the kitchen, "The Golden Rule" , to this day I can feel her touch on my hands and hear her words. While it seemed to me that only the few live to the Golden Rule, I make kindness a part of my day every day.

How about you, what random act of kindness have you done today?