| CIntroduction Essay, Research Paper
“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do any fellow-being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this again.” — Penn
Random Acts of Kindness reinforce the value of caring for and about one another, the importance of seeing each other as human beings instead of strangers, and the idea that each of us has the power to change the world by following our hearts. When you think about it, what greater gift can your give your commumity than a happier, healthier attutide of friendliness.
The practice of kindness is, above all, a learning process, one in which you learn more and more about yourself.
What comes up for you when your practice kindness? Do you want a reward? Recognition? Do you do it to feel good about youself or because it is needed? What does that teach you about your capacity to give?
UNFINISHED…
I would like to share an act of kindness, which I practice regularly and which gives me great joy. I always carry at least a spare dollar in my pocket. I save it for the first person who asks if I can “spare some change”.Smiling and maintaining eye contact, I always respond very cherrfully with a comment like, “Yes, I would love to” or “It would be my pleasure”. And I give them the dollar. I then replace it with my dollar for the next person I come across. I never spend this money on myself. I only see that it is the possession of the next person who asks for it. A dollar is a small amout, yet it means a lot the person who expected 25 cents, especially, when delivered with a cheerful smile.
I also try to give the needy things I think they may be able to use. The people who receive them are very delighted. But I think it’s not just that I give them things that matters. It’s that I see them for the people they really are. I know that they are all unique in their own way and that is how they are at the current time, not who they are. I always remember it is they who bless me with the opportunity to be kind. What a joy.
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