Why kindness?

It's a story simply put.  A young person feels down but looks up.  They see someone in need.   They put aside their own worries for another.  Lost in the moment, listening to another persons story, they forget their own.  After some time passes, they get up and go back on their path.  For a moment, this young person may reflect on what just happened, they may even reflect on what is going on in their lives, changing their perspective.  

The one they helped, may not ever forget the moment someone saw them for who they are, human.  One in need.  

The next day, this young person chooses to do another act.  They keep their eyes open, even if they are dimly lit with their current life experiences, they still choose to watch for another opportunity.  

Why?  It actually helped them and deep down, they know this.  

How?  Perspective.  

We all know life ebbs and flows.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  The choice is still ours though.  To make a difference in our flow.  How do we recover from something that can tear us down or how to enjoy the ride when it's feeling like we are at the top.  

I've learnt to observe.  To love life, no matter how tough.  I know the energy that comes with life and that I will give out what I want back, no matter how bad or ugly.  Just give me a moment when things are down but believe me, I'll be back up and running in no time.  This is why I choose kindness.  There is this infinite power in kindness, something I cannot explain.  Something that is more powerful than hate, more powerful than anger and something that no matter what, will help you too.  Kindness is it's own energy.

Why am I choosing to describe the person in this as "young"?  Let me share something amazing with you.  My son, my partner, a friend and myself were serving dinner outside at our local homeless shelter.  Something we try and do on a monthly basis.  While my son and partner were helping my friend to her car, I went to grab mine.  As I approached my friends car, I looked over to my left.

There was a young man, no more than 20, layering a blanket on another who was clearly unable to stand.  This young man who was trying to help would have been labeled in public as possibly a gang member, someone who was wearing his hat backwards, pants lower.. but here he was, caring for another and not caring about what was going on in his life.  My son, got into the car and said "Mum, did you see that? We should get a photo."  

I responded by ... "darling, sometimes, these moments need to be kept in our memory and perhaps not sharing a photo of what we saw, gives another dignity and pride."  

He understood.  What is more important?  My young son, saw the gift of kindness.  He experienced the moment where giving was better without expecting anything in return.