Time for Kindness

Someone said to me, "I don't have time for kindness," but what kind of life is it when we don't have time for kindness? How much time does kindness take, anyway? And yet, this person was just being honest. How many other people are just unkind, mean, unconscious, or unaware, without ever admitting it?

Kindness doesn't take time so much as it takes effort. It takes awareness, it takes presence, it takes the willingness to think outside of yourself.

What does it really cost you? How much do you reap when you sow kindness? Is it worth it going through your day grumbling, closed, unhappy, stubborn, grumpy, mean and unkind to those around you? If it only takes awareness to be kind, isn't it worth more to be the person people can't be unkind to because of your own kindness? Isn't it worth it to see the effects of kindness, the smiles that come from the heart, the people truly moved by little gestures, and to see they way they pass it on, like a ripple effect that never really ends?

The pay it forward mentality is just kindness. Look how vastly it spreads, look at what a difference a few kind gestures can make, and just think how different the world can be if we each took time for kindness. It's a challenge. Go for it.

Blessings.
- Darshan

© 2009 Darshan F Jessop