We read in Holy Scripture, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Yet, this same scripture can be interpreted in more than one way, of which, the incomparable Kahlil Gibran, has found inspiration in: “Blessed are the kindly, for they shall be consoled by their own kindliness.”
For many of us, when we take a close look at our own life, it is in those acts of received kindness at those timely moments that we take a great deal of solace in; especially when such has been done, when we were feeling particularly dejected, low, or abandoned. Those that say the right words at the right time, or that help us to get back up, when we are down, are performing an act of kindness, that in its effect, benefits both parties, and thereby helps to make our lives better.
Each day, we are provided with the opportunity to simply be kind to one another, an act that can thus be fulfilled by us or an act that we can effectively ignore. After all, to be kind, requires some degree of commitment to the other person, in which in order to accomplish such, we need to make the effort to demonstrate that act of kindness, whether that be by taking some time out of our day to help someone deal with an issue that is bothering them, or by lending a helping hand to another on a project, or by visiting someone, that is in need. There isn’t any real limit to things that we can perform that are kind, of which, those acts can come forth from the littlest of us, to the biggest; or from the youngest of us to the oldest.
To be considerate to one another, demonstrates that we are able to successfully break out of the mold of self-centeredness to recognize that each one of us, has validity, and further to the point, to recognize that everyone has vulnerabilities, that we can help to alleviate, by our act of thoughtfulness to them. For each person that we so meet, we do not know all of that of which they are dealing with; but we can certainly say with foreknowledge, that everyone has something on their mind, or a deed so done, that troubles them, at least, from time-to-time, and when we are considerate to them, this thus provides them with comfort, knowing that they are accepted, just as they are.
So too, while a given act of kindness, provides consolation to the person so receiving such; it must also be said, that by being kind, the giver of such, receives consolation, as well; for in that act of kindness, we so often feel a true reflection of such, in return. That is to say, the more that we give, the more that we get, in compensation; for good acts, are often echoed back to us, again and again. So then, by being kind to another, we benefit not only the other person, but we also benefit ourselves, because in that act of generosity is the implicit understanding, that the kinder that we are, the more that we are open to feel kindness in return.