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KIND WORDS
Doing The Right Thing Is More Important
The author wishes to remain anonymous
Edited by Shmuel Greenbaum
Printed with Permission of Partners in Kindness
I was on the bus commuting to school on the first day of the school year. I teach English and I wanted to be early so I would have time to photocopy my first days handouts.
On the bus I was involved and didn't pay attention to the people getting on until I heard the old woman seated opposite me groan. I asked her what the matter was and she said she had fallen after getting on the bus and was in quite a bit of pain. She kept on groaning and I didn't know what to do. Finally she said that it was her stop.
The thought that crossed my mind as I was deciding what to do on the bus was, "what would you do if it was your mother?" I decided that I could not just leave her like that so I told her I would help her get home.
Once we were off the bus I realized that home wasn't a good idea as she was having a lot of pain walking and standing. With her consent, I flagged down a cab, and asked him to take us to the nearest emergency room, a ten minute ride through the city traffic.
I was still concerned about being late to the first day of school so I asked the cab driver to wait for me in the parking lot of the emergency room. I took the old woman inside and explained to the nurse what had happened and that I didn't actually know the woman. She said they would take over and that I could leave.
The cab driver took me to school, another 20 minute ride and I arrived in school with enough time to just photocopy and arrive breathless to the class; not really the way I wanted to start my first day.
I decided to share the experience with my class and teach them that doing the right thing even when no one asks you to is more important than coming to school or work on time.
Every Time
From Kindness: Making a Difference in People's Lives: Formulas, stories, and insights
By Zelig Pliskin
Printed with Permission of Shaar Press
Every time you act kindly, the world has more kindness.
Every time you are compassionate, the world has more compassion.
Every time you smile to someone, the world is a more cheerful place.
Every time you help transform someone's worry into serenity, the world is a more serene place.
Every time you calm someone who is angry, the world is a more pleasant place.
Every time you give money to charity, the world is a more charitable place.
Every time you encourage someone to do something for others, you are creating a partner to make a better world.
Some people spend way too much time complaining about the awful state the world is in. There is too much aggression and violence. There is too little kindness and compassion. There is too much anger and depression and too little serenity and joy.
If someone complains and complains, the world is still full of whatever it is the person is complaining about and now more complaining has been added. Conversely, if someone spreads compassion and kindness, the world improves. The ripple effect can spread these positive qualities. A little positive action is more beneficial than a mountain full of complaints.
Every time you visit someone who is ill, you are making the world a kinder place to live in.
Every time you comfort a mourner, you are making the world a kinder place to live in.
Every time you judge someone favorably, you are making the world a kinder place to live in.
Every time you lend one of your possessions to someone, you are making the world a kinder place to live in.
Every time you help a stranger find his way, you are making the world a kinder place to live in.
What comes out from all of this is that there is no such thing as an insignificant kind act. Because every time you do an act of kindness you are elevating the world we live in.
More About Partners In Kindness
Speaking About Kindness
When Shmuel Greenbaum has the opportunity to speak, he rivets his audience's attention through stories and audience participation. Participants come away feeling very positive and excited about doing something great. His excitement for kindness is infectious, as this student from New York City's Stuyvesant High School explains:
I was expecting to attend the lecture given by Shmuel Greenbaum for one period. I ended up staying for four. It is so uplifting, so enlightening, so refreshing to hear someone like him talk, to simply bubble over with excitement at the thought of doing good in the world. He is in his way a role model to us all. You think to yourself, "If only everyone else could practice kindness in the way that Shmuel Greenbaum has, the world would truly be a better place."
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Kind Words is a free weekly e-mail distributed by Partners In Kindness.
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If you have permission to reprint this e-mail, please ensure that you reprint the entire e-mail (including this notice).
Names of people, places, and other details mentioned in these stories may have been changed to protect privacy.
Kindness is like music, art, sports or any other discipline -- it can only be mastered with practice, training, and lots and lots of encouragement. That is what Partners in Kindness is trying to promote.
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