By: Hettie Basil Lighttower
At the end of all my columns herewith, I end with, “Kindness is contagious~”. Being kind is important. Being kind is a spectrum of love. Being kind is a basic form of being human at a high-ground functioning level. It is form or spiritual maturity. It is usually given from a place of “just because” and not with a string or rope attached! It is doing something for someone without any expectations from them at all.
Kindness is contagious because when you experience kindness from someone it is a form of acceptance, respect and grace. It is something shown to another person without having had to be earned, but it is offered, most often unexpectedly. That’s the best kind! Unexpectedly. An act of kindness sets the stage for how any interaction will develop or even for how any future interactions will transpire between two persons. Kindness sets the tone. Things can blossom from it.
When a person experiences kindness, the heart swells with unexpected love. That love permeates your attitude, your outlook and your future motivations. This makes kindness contagious. You then after having experienced kindness wish to share that feeling with others because you know the difference it made in your situation. And if you are angry with someone and you lash out at them but they respond in kindness instead of offense or defense, that changes everything.
Not so long ago, there was a movement which surfaced of “random acts of kindness” and also even a movie came out of “Pay it Forward”. Many people were doing it. They experienced the gift of joy they received by doing something kind for someone else. The intent was to be kind. And they received joy. Joy and kindness go hand in hand and are both a form of love.
Here is a beautiful poem of a willing neighbor to check on his elderly neighbor who is widowed and also blind. It is entitled: The Lovely Mrs. Hinds. Author: Timothy Schiffman. Tim lives locally in the Ohio Valley and told me of his poem and of his experiences visiting Mrs. Hinds. He never understood why others did not show her more kindness by checking on her. But he did it. And he cherished the opportunity to make her life a little better in the small ways that he could.
THE LOVELY MRS. HINDS
Mrs. Hinds although totally blind was always very kind. Every knock on the door was greeted by a voice I still adore. Who is it she’d say? It’s Tim from down the way. Come in Tim, How are you today? I’m doing well, is everything okay, I’d ask. Just doing my chores. Would you do me a small task? It would be my pleasure, Mrs. Hinds. Would you set the clocks, I love to hear their chimes. Although small and some clocks were tall I set out to do my best. Looking back now it was such a simple request, when the tones filled her dwelling. Our eyes with tears began their welling. She loved music so much, Those lovely chimes and their gentle touch. To this day I’ll never forget her face, As the chimes brought such joy to her lonely place. Music is my love. It’s magic. I’m always thinking of. Mrs. Hinds, I know you’re watching me from heaven above~
I hope this encourages you to check on your neighbors or to just be kind. We can change someone’s life in ways never dreamed of or in ways of not even planning to….. simply by being kind. There are times we are given opportunities; put in the right place at the right time. We have one chance to do the right thing in these twinkles of a moment. Sometimes these chances change a whole direction of someone’s day or even life.
When a seed of kindness is planted. We did our best in the moment we were given. It is up to that person on the receiving end to water that seed and give it nourishment. This is God’s work. We are doing God’s work when we are kind. Kindness is a form of love. Ever hear of, “The greatest of these is Love”?
Send in your notions and comments to [email protected]. I will include them in the next available column as per their arrival relative to the publication deadline of Tuesday by 12 p.m. of the same week. If you wish to be anonymous let me know. Kindness is contagious~