Kindness.....how much does it take?

by ScoobySnax 17 Replies latest jw friends

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  ScoobySnax

  With each and every different job/career we do, none of us escape without a constant interaction of other people, its part of the thread of life in a way. Most we interact with along the way are sometimes pleasant out of necessity, some are out of courteousness, some are "just because" they have to "force" a smile back when we flash one their way. The most thoughtful are the ones you might forget in your day who took the initiative to smile or say a kind word to you first. When everything is stressful, and you're rushing about getting ever more stressed, these are the ones to look for and remember.

  Today I came home from work with my head about to explode, I sat down phoned a few mates, then poured a beer and un-wound, I suddenly remembered that person earlier on today that smiled at me and said a kind word. Out of all the many I met and interacted with, that was the one I remembered. It lifted my stress, and sort of me smile back inside. Amazing what a small gesture amongst hundreds of other interactions can do.

  SMILE at someone tommorow.......(.but don't look crazy about it!....you'll get arrested!)
• 

  Big Tex

  Of all things that I aspire to be in this life, there is none that resonate more with me than what Paul had to say in 1 Cor. 13. When Nina's father committed suicide, I felt there was no better expression to give to my children, and that would pay homage to Bill, than this chapter.

  As it relates to what you experienced Scoob, this portion is the first thing I thought of:

  It is not discourteous,
  it is not selfish,
  it is not irritable,
  it does not enumerate the evil.
  It does not rejoice over the wrong, but rejoices in the truth
  

  It covers all things,
  it has faith for all things,
  it hopes in all things,
  it endures in all things.

  Love never falls in ruins;

  Easy to say, and much harder to actually live, I know, but how much power it has. One act of kindness, of love, reverberates among humanity like a rock dropped into a pond. The waves move outward touching anything and everything.

  Recently I have seen the folly of returning anger for anger and the tremendous benefit of instead of returning kindness to one who attacks. I would have thought it is a lesson I would have learned by now in my 41 years, but it goes to show this life is nothing more than a lesson that must learned, and re-learned until it finally sinks in.

  A smile, and an outstretched hand, are so much more meaningful than a snarl and a fist.

  Chris
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  ScoobySnax

  Chris. How true. And what better sentiments from someone who I just knew would be to articulate them as well as you did. Quote. "It has faith, It has hope, It endures, in all things"

  To return a smile to someone who is hateful will dis-arm them, I've seen that so many times. (Even if secretly you've wanted to smack them in the gob) Kindness does win over, it humilitates anger and bitterness evey time.

  Scott
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  moonwillow

  A little kindness goes a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong way!
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  ESTEE

  Yeah Scoob ...

  Delightful sentiment

  ESTEE
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  JH

  If more people would be kind, it would be a nicer world. Most people rather say bad things and criticize than say something nice about a preson. I guess it's human nature and imperfection doing that.
• 

  Big Tex

  Even if secretly you've wanted to smack them in the gob)

  Truth? Honestly? You see, if someone pays attention, the heart is revealed. And then, all is understood. I didn't understand you for a bit, then you were courageous and revealed just a little, and everything fell into place. Where there is understanding, there is acceptance. Where there is acceptance, there is love.

  And that is the God I believe in, and the man I aspire to be.
• 

  xenawarrior

  and the man I aspire to be.

  And you do it well (((((Tex)))))))

  XW
• 

  simplesally

  Go out and commit a random act of kindness........... or else!
• 

  ScoobySnax

  I think Chris, where there is a smile, a kind face, a touch of the arm, Understanding, acceptance, and love flow from them. In that instance, any negativity turn into a positivity. When you don't always realise it at the time, but often when you lay down and think much later on, your mind racing against all the slights,.. you remember. What sort of man do I aspire to be? Someone who can reason, remember and return that in some way.