Giving and receiving in a kindness revolution
For me, this has been the year of trying to promote a most underrated but incredibly important quality, that of kindness. In my last column I wrote about being grateful and I have been somewhat stunned and incredibly humbled by the number of kind people who have said to me over the past fortnight: ‘‘I read your column and I really liked what you had to say.’’
I think it resonated with many people.
Like loyalty, kindness is a quality that costs nothing financially but is priceless. What it does take is compassion, time and effort.
There are many times in my life, or in the lives of my wha¯ nau and friends that I have witnessed kindness. Kindness received and kindness given.
Many years ago, in fact last century, I was a pupil at Lithgow Intermediate School in Invercargill. I remember being a Form 1 student – Year 7 in modern terms – and being somewhat overwhelmed at being at a much bigger school than good old Surrey Park.
Miss Swain (I think her name was) with long auburn hair came up to me at lunchtime, and sat beside me, to see if I was OK.
She smiled, gave me a little hug and said that everything would be all right,
And it was.
I loved that school, made lots of great memories and it ended up being the very first school where I taught.
Kindness given and kindness received. Kindness enriches our lives. Another example of kindness received last century was that shown to me by physiotherapist extraordinaire Jillian McDowell.
December 23 many years ago, I was involved in an unfortunate car accident. I thought I had escaped uninjured.
The next day, Christmas Eve, I awoke with incredible whiplash. What to do? Who was going to see me on Christmas Eve?
I had never been to a physio before.
On the off-chance I called into Jill’s practice and she said that she would see me. She didn’t need to, but she showed kindness.
Twenty years on I am still being treated not for the same injury, by someone I believe is one of the best in the business.
I have many dear and loyal friends. I have two friends both called Debbie, who are among some of the kindest and most compassionate people I know. Both are humble people and will be totally embarrassed that I have mentioned them.
One is an incredibly talented artist and is hugely involved in her community. She and her husband Jason are powerhouses within Eastern Southland.
Debbie’s heart is so big that she spent hundreds of hours making a beautiful piece of art to enter in this year’s Hokonui Fashion awards to remember the son of a dear friend.
The other Debbie is a beautiful and kind person, always giving of her time and services to other people; sharing the healing gifts, she has been given.
She and her husband Greg are heavily involved in our community and will also be the first people to support those who are fundraising to attend an event or support a cause.
Generous to a fault always giving.
I said to her the other day: ‘‘You are such a gift giver’’.
She replied ‘‘I always received so much more than I give.’’ Kindness given.
The say that money makes the world go round but I believe that kindness and love make the world go around, too.
Think about those who have shown kindness to you in your life and what a difference it has made.
While you are thinking no doubt you are smiling.
Now perhaps think about how you can make a positive difference in someone’s life by showing kindness.
It may be just a smile. Opening a door, saying hello, taking some time to have a chat with someone you don’t know.
I have often found that some of the most interesting people to talk with are those who sit on the edges and in the margins.
They see things differently and my life has been enriched by the conversations shared.
Kindness is an underrated quality, which I think rates. Kindness given, kindness received. Let’s start a revolution of kindness.
Think about those who have shown kindness to you in your life and what a difference it has made.