Kindness

Here's a Sufi saying to remember…

Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates… At the first gate, ask yourself, Is It True? At the second gate, ask yourself, Is It Necessary? At the third gate, ask yourself, Is It Kind?

Always let kindness flow through you.  You will pay attention to what is happening around you, and you'll become more tolerant, more compassionate, more understanding.  Others will feel valued when they're around you.  You'll feel happier and your world will be that much brighter.

Think about the warmth you felt in your life.  More than likely, it happened because someone was kind to you.  The poet Maya Angelou once said…

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget How You Made Them Feel.

That makes sense, doesn't it?  Kindness is encouraged by every major religion and it leads to many virtues we all value.  We all want to be more Christ-like, more enlightened, more involved in making a difference in our world.  That could happen anywhere in the smallest of instances where a kind word or a courteous gesture can make all the difference.

And in a world where conflict abounds, we do need more of that:  More kindness, more courtesy, more civility.  It costs nothing, but the feeling we all get in return is priceless.

Think on that as you go about your work this week.  Have a great day.