Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Kindness
by Eliza Paul Kirkbride Gurney
Kindness soothes the bitter anguish,
Kindness wipes the falling tear,
Kindness cheers us when we languish,
Kindness makes a friend more dear.
Kindness turns a pain to pleasure,
Kindness softens every woe,
Kindness is the greatest treasure,
That frail man enjoys below.
Then how can I, so frail a being,
Hope thy kindness to repay,
My great weakness plainly seeing,
Seeing plainer every day.
Oh, I never can repay thee!
That I but too plainly see;
But I trust thou wilt forgive me,
For the love I bear to thee.
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great. (Luke 6:35)
In recent weeks, acts of kindness must surely have turned around the lives of many people fleeing the war in Ukraine. People living in those countries receiving refugees have offered everything from permanent homes, to bars of chocolate. We can't underestimate the power of a hand on the shoulder, a hug, a welcoming smile or a friendly "Pryvit!"
In the past couple of weeks, my husband and I have also been on the receiving end of many acts of care and kindness, especially from those working within the NHS. It impossible to repay that kindness, but we could not have managed without it.
Writing Prompts:
- Write about any small acts of kindness that you have received recently. How have they affected you?
- Make a list of any acts of kindness and caring you have shown over the past few weeks, no matter how small.
- 'Kindness UK' is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes kind acts. It has recently conducted a kindness survey. You can take part here and find out some of the results here. Write about what you think might be the result of the human race acting in a kinder way globally.
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