Some recent events have caused me to think about the simple idea of kindness.
Is it really so hard to be nice and respectful of others even if you don’t agree with them? Is it such a crazy idea to set an example for others by not tearing a person down, but rather lift them up?
Or here’s an idea: If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. What does it say about a person when they feel they have to right to belittle someone else? What is to be gained by being mean and hateful to someone because you don’t like them? Why can’t people simply ignore or stay away from someone with whom they don’t wish to interact?
If I had the answer to those questions, I’d probably be on the New York Times Best Seller list. While I don’t know the answers to the above questions, I do know the one thing that I was taught from early childhood: The Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
In other words, Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Do I have regrets about things I’ve said or thoughts that I’ve had? Absolutely. Have I lost “friendships” after the newness wore off and I truly saw my “friend” for the real person that they are? Absolutely.
And do you know what? I’ll probably have it happen again at some point and I’m OK with that.
prefer to surround myself with positive, happy, fun-loving, and generally nice people. I have some wonderful friends that have been a part of my life for decades and have seen me at my best and worst. I have newer friends that I can already tell will be lifelong friends. Although they are vastly different in everything from political beliefs, religious ideals, skin color and interests, the ONE thing that unites and draws me to them is KINDNESS!
I’ve found that it is so much easier to do or say something positive rather than negative. It’s been said that if we were all alike, the world would be a boring place, and I agree. If everyone was alike, who would there be to talk bad about?
It’s much more desirable to embrace our differences, learn from others, and be kind. When you’re out and about, smile and say hello to a stranger, tell someone (sincerely, of course) that they look nice, hold a door, or one of the gazillion other kind things you can think of. After all, a smile and a compliment are one of the few things left that are free.
So if you happen to see me out and about, please say hello. I love meeting new friends!
DONNA PATTERSON
Summerton
