Sometimes we confuse kindness with just having good manners. Every culture has its polite greetings, manners, and gestures. In America, it’s a handshake and a smile. In Japan, you politely bow. In other cultures, you hug and give a peck on the cheek. You bring a gift. But we must not confuse these gestures of social protocol with the kindness that is motivated by love.

The Greek word for kindness basically means “useful.” It carries with it the idea of friendliness, tenderness, compassion. You see someone standing alone at a social gathering and you go over and introduce yourself, make them feel at home. You see your boss is stressed out and stretched too thin and you ask, “How can I help?” Your wife has a baby in one arm, a vacuum cleaner in the other... you put down the remote, get off the couch, and help her clean the place up. That’s kindness in action.

You’ve seen the bumper sticker, I’m sure: “Commit random acts of kindness.” Certainly, the world would be a better place to live in, if more people were kind. But it’s not going to happen by painting our face, dancing to bongo drums, holding hands, and singing “We are the world.” It’s going to happen as you and I start the day intentionally—purposefully—loving the people around us. The environment of a selfish and evil world gives us almost unlimited opportunities to practice purposeful acts of kindness. So what are we waiting for? Kindness has the power to change the world around you for the better. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get at it!

-BJS-