The Quiet Power of Kindness

The proverbial, “It doesn’t take much to be kind,” is true, but seems to be false for quite a few. People continually preach about this topic. It’s been discussed for centuries, yet people are still struggling to learn. That’s life, right? Well, what if I told you that it’s not as bad in certain places? What if I told you that you can find it more in your daily life? Would you listen? Or… Would you turn it away because it’s not from a person you deem “fit” to accept from? Some of the purest kind comes from the least expected places.

Look for it in those people deemed “rough around the edges.” They may seem hard to talk to, gruff, and even standoffish to some, but reality is, they’ve been through the hardest battles in life. They know how life can kick you down over and over, but they still choose to be kind to those around them. They are rough on the edges because they don’t have time to play around. They are focused on solving problems every day. But the moment you take the time to talk to them, you will realize they are the sweetest people ever. The rough around the edges people are the ones that leave the larger tips for the struggling waitress of three kids, they feed the homeless, they save lost or homeless pets, and they help those stuck on the side of the road or in general need.

Look for those people that work the everyday common jobs such as a mailman, grocery clerk, or barista. They know the struggles of life. Easiness hasn’t been handed to them on a silver platter. They know what it means to work hard. All of this creates an empathy beyond belief. They are the ones that understand how things get complicated in other people’s lives. They are there to do their best to help you when they can as befits their job. They are struggling through life just as others. They are the ones that you can easily talk to about anything and everything.

Look for it in those different from you, the ones deemed “odd” in society. They know what it’s like to be outcasts. Some think that they are different or unkind, because they don’t socialize as we do or are a bit quirky, but that’s the best part. Their difference is what makes them so unique. They see the beauty in the everyday and in little things that we miss sight of as we bustle through the chaos. They are kind to those they see and ensure that people are treated equally and fairly. They help you find the beauty in yourself and things around you, because they know what it’s like to be different.

Look for it in those that truly listen, yet don’t even know who you are. People need to be heard these days. Not just have someone fake listen but be heard. There are random people out there that will truly listen to you. This can easily be that postman, the bartender, or even someone at a random bus stop. Active listeners allow others to express themselves, think through problems, and get things off their chest without fear of judgement. Sometimes talking to strangers is the best thing. I remember sitting at a bus stop in the middle of Edinburgh. This older lady was standing looking tired and as if there was a weight on her chest. I offered her my seat, and she began to tell me her life story. I heard of the trials her, and her husband had, how her children were scattered across the world leaving her lonely at home since her husband had passed, and how she just went about her day as if it was another old routine. After our conversation, she walked with a lighter step and realized how lucky she was to have such a unique life and to have lived.

Look for it in those of different cultures. These people may not show kindness in the way that you expect, but if you truly look at them and see them for who they are you’ll realize that they are the kindest people. Some see Asians as a rough group, but reality is they are very family oriented and care for one another. The act of making sure that you have food on your plate and that you’ve been feed first is an act of kindness. What may seem odd and unfamiliar to you, is comforting in other cultures.

Kindness can be found everywhere you look. There will be days, months, and even years you will think that you can’t find an ounce of kindness. People bully others continually in your daily life, at your job, when at a restaurant, or at school. It’s something that happens all the time, but there is something that you can do. You can look at the small things in life. Look for kindness in places that aren’t often looked at or are often overlooked. Usually, you can find kindness in others that know how unkind the world can be. Here’s to looking at the small, unique acts of kindness in everyday life. There’s more of it than you realize. Take a moment to slow down, take a step back, and think about it. Maybe you’re the kindness in someone else’s life.