When we are angry or upset, to respond with kindness is the hardest thing to do. During such moments, snapping at people around us comes naturally. But the residue of such spontaneous negative reactions is always bitter.
I have not been the kindest of persons in words. While dealing with people in the outside world like the workplace, I have acted with utmost patience. But with my near and dear ones, it has been extremely easier and convenient to lose patience and be rude; when it is most important to be the kindest to your own family.
But once you start practicing kindness consciously, through your thoughts, words, actions and reactions, it becomes a part of who you are. And I feel that I have been doing much better now in the recent years.
When someone angers us, to respond kindly can prevent a fight. When we are upset, not snapping at people around us can prevent more people from getting upset. When someone is being unkind to us, to be kind in return can be the most salving form of revenge. With time, kindness would become an effortless habit and we would become radiant with kindness.
In the past week, I was kind in thoughts and words by:
- Saying "Thank you" to the auto-rikshaw driver when he drops me very morning at my office.
- Not getting mad at the office-boys for not cleaning something after repeated reminders.
- Responding in the kindest manner possible to an adverse comment on a book review I wrote.
- Noticing how my family is kind to me in small and subtle ways, like saving me a bit of soft-drinks, getting me a glass of lassi (a cold drink made of yogurt) or doing my portion of dishes.
- Not blaming anyone for the dirty corner and cleaning it myself.
- Not being mad at my bestie for not calling me back as I know she must be really tied up.
The weekly prompts:
Week 1: Start you day with kindness
Week 2: Observe kindness around you
Week 3: Focus your energy on being kind to others
Week 4: Focus on doing something kind for someone
Week 5: End your day thinking about kindness
Week 6: Think about someone that inspires you to be better, kinder, gentler
Week 7: Do something kind for someone and keep it to yourself