Kindness

There is a dearth of kindness in the world. Even in the sterile bubble in which I live in Australia, where one should imagine there to be kindness in abundance, there is a dearth of it. Our democratically elected government incarcerates innocents as punishment for traversing land and sea to escape states of terror, trauma and torture; random acts of unkindness are perpetrated against women, children, men; corporations fold leaving workers unemployed and destitute; indigenous communities still suffer as a result of the British invasion of 1788; and the sensitive among us ache with the resulting injustice of unkindness.

I come from a long line of kindness keepers. We were born with a genetic predisposition to perform acts of kindness upon random strangers. We let fall upon others a gentle smile, a soft caress and soothing words. Our hearts are worn upon our sleeves. We love like there is no tomorrow. We laugh together and our small worlds become a brighter place.

But we weep in our souls at the sight of unkindness. We are saddened by others’ suffering. We wish for a more sympathetic society; a more compassionate government; a more considerate neighbour.

With kindness comes tolerance and patience; consideration and generosity; benevolence and affection; thoughtfulness and tenderness; joy and happiness; love and adoration.

Let us all embrace the inherent kindness within us – for this does exist within – and let it multiply and spread throughout the world, touching each and every one gently, softly, tenderly as a parent caresses their new born child.