Kindness Only Takes a Moment

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” ―Lao Tzu

I like to think that kindness is like a pebble, smooth, round, and comforting in your hand. Open your hand and drop it into a pond. Watch the ripples it creates as they spread from the center to the edges. Imagine it overflows, creating a tiny new pond and eventually a babbling creek.

This creek of kindness grows to become a river flowing in and out of our lives. The flowing kindness touches our hearts. Kindness connects us to our inner goodness, that light within us that is sometimes elusive.

Try passing your pebble of kindness to others. Let it warm their hearts and watch it spread. The smallest act of kindness can create a domino effect.

I was ordering my cup of tea the other day and noticed a young female construction worker in line a few spaces back. She looked hot, tired, and thirsty. Her bright yellow construction hat was askew, her face was smudged, and her work boots dusty with dirt. I quietly asked the cashier to please charge the food and bottle of water she was holding in her hand to my card. The barista, my partner in this act of kindness, smiled and quietly thanked me. I picked up my cup of tea without waiting to see the exchange between the construction worker and barista, but my heart felt lighter and happier knowing that I had just passed on a tiny bit of kindness that touched all three of us. The barista, the construction worker, and I connected in this tiny but powerful circle of humanity and love.

You too can drop your own pebble of kindness and watch the ripples of warmth it creates. Simply make a conscious effort to go through your day with awareness, and kindness will follow. Acknowledge the people you meet – a simple hello and smile to a stranger as they walk by you on the street. Give a friendly “thank you” wave to the driver who paused to let you into their lane on the highway. Hold the door for the person behind you. Thank the cashier who just rang up your groceries and let he or she know you appreciate their hard work.

Spreading kindness throughout your day only takes a moment, but its goodness flows back to you, illuminating your heart with love.