• “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”
  ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

• “Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you – not because they are nice, but because you are.”
  ~Author Unknown

• “Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it.”~ Author Unknown

Living The Ideal

Kindness is an ideal that is easily accessible to all of us. We all know that a small kindness can make our journeys lighter and more enjoyable. Even bringing an instance of kindness to mind can put a smile on your face days or weeks later or perhaps even inspire you to share kindness with another. Though it may seem simple to the point of insignificance, many cultures throughout the world and history have recognized kindness as a powerful virtue. It may be the simplest way to experience and share all the grandest ideals of humanity. We can make the choice to act from the best place within ourselves at any time, while simultaneously recognizing the highest potential in another with the smallest of acts, nourishing the seed of hope in each soul we encounter.

In a way, kindness acts as the oil that makes the engine of our world move more smoothly and with less friction. We can still get where we are going but the ride is more pleasant, and those around us can share in the ideal world that we help to create. We are all fortunate that kindness is limitless in its supply and available to everyone. When we act in ways that confirm our ideals, we make the ideal our reality. Then, instead of affirming the experience of struggle and competition, we can shift our experience to the reality of ease and pleasurable camaraderie with the fellow citizens of the world.

Whether giving way to someone in traffic or letting someone go ahead of us in line, donating money or sharing our homes in a crisis, we actively create a universe of kindness and giving with every choice we make. The smallest gesture can bring a smile to light the shadow of an unpleasant situation or remove tension from a difficult task, but it’s effects can echo and extend far beyond the moment. We can be sure that we will receive a kindness in return, but giving is its own reward. Kindness expands the light within us and reaches out to touch the light in others as well, giving us all a glimpse of the glow that has the power to enlighten our world.

About this Article
Reprinted with permission from DailyOM.com – Inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day. Register for free at www.dailyom.com © 2004-2010 DailyOM – All Rights Reserved.

Grandpa John was very ill, and we all silently knew his time with us was very short. He was always vibrant, active, loving and proud. He was the pied-piper that 12 grandkids followed around getting into mischief and good times. Yet, here it was, Christmas Eve and grandpa was lying in a hospital bed needing help to move and to complete basic life activities. As we kept company with him we did all we could in our thoughts, words and actions to keep hope alive as we kept him company and spoke with him. While his body may have been frail, his mind was still sharp and his voice still booming if he took a long enough breath. He would insist on having things in the room in good order and to have his shaver handy since he always wanted to be neat and fresh.

Arrangements had been made to move grandpa from the hospital bed over to the long-term care unit. Any additional efforts to help improve his condition would have very limited impact. Hospital orderlies and a nurse were being organized to move grandpa from one building to the other building. During this waiting period, grandpa was unable to go the bathroom on his own and soiled himself. He discretely advised grandma. My sister who is a nurse advised grandma she would go and get assistance from the staff. Though my sister advised us this was a common occurrence in this type of situation, we were concerned on how grandpa would feel and deal with this situation in a very public place.

Several minutes later, Nurse John entered the room and discretely asked people to move into the hallway. He quickly pulled the curtain and asked grandpa how he was doing today. A short conversation quickly put grandpa at ease. Nurse John quietly talked to grandpa to ensure him this situation happens all the time. As he began to help grandpa freshen-up he insisted it was no big deal. A feeling of warmth and love overcame me. Here was a stranger we never met helping grandpa in a very personal situation. I was very much appreciative of the respect and dignity he demonstrated towards my father.

Grandma must have felt the same way because as Nurse John was leaving she grabbed him to the side. She expressed her gratitude. She found out he was in the Navy for 20 years. After he retired he decided to become a nurse. After the short conversation grandma began to insist that he tell her how she could demonstrate her appreciation for his very kind and respectful attitude. At this point, Nurse John strongly insisted that what he did was a normal part of his job. As he was leaving, he turned around one last time and said to my mother “No thanks is required, this is what I do”.

To this day, I still wonder if Nurse John realizes how his one act of kindness helped shed some light into the sad hearts of Grandpa John’s family that day.

Tim Feeley
Brooklyn, NY