A replay of a post from 2015. Amidst all the unpredictability today, a few things are entirely within our control, and one of them is kindness. ❤
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Most of us have days filled with small acts of kindness. We smile, kiss hurt elbows, throw tennis balls for our dogs. We pay for a coworker’s coffee and leave a big tip. We call a friend in need, chauffeur teenagers, cook a favorite meal, or pick up ice cream on the way home. These small invisible acts often go unacknowledged, but they travel around in overlapping circles, keep our lives balanced and relationships healthy. We see the results in strengthened bonds, deeper commitment, and abiding love.
But what about those times when we don’t see the ripples? When we toss acts of kindness and compassion into a seemingly bottomless well of suffering and despair? When we perceive no reward for our efforts? When we don’t know if we’re making any lasting difference in our world at all? Some strangers we’ll meet face to face, but most we’ll never know. The poignant tales of their lives will play out in other neighborhoods, other cities, and other lands, unseen and unheard.
In our political landscape, acts of kindness and compassion are often labeled as weak, a waste of time and money, conciliatory, poor investments, and unpatriotic. In a culture that values money over lives, the manipulations are intense.
Yet, I would argue that when we ordinary folk commit small everyday deeds of kindness and compassion, the ripples are there even though invisible to our eyes and silent to our ears. Those random acts are cups of water that we pour down that deep, collective well. They blend and build, until over time, the bottomless well holds a limitless reservoir from which a garden grows. I have faith that no act of kindness or compassion is wasted, ever.
I’m not really surprised that Gandalf sits up there with some of the greats when it comes to quotes regarding kindness. Does it matter that he’s a fictional character? Not really. Through Gandalf, Tolkien’s wisdom reached millions. Such is the power of the written word. Books can and do have the power to change the world…
Myths of the Mirror 
wowwww
wondrous
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Thank you so much for the kind comment, Jatin. Kindness is certainly needed these days. Have a lovely Friday and weekend, and be well. 😀
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Beautiful post. Acts of kindness are so appreciated by others, and in the end we also get something wonderful out of it.
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I agree, Geri. Perpetrating acts of kindness is a blast, even when anonymous. And these days we’d all be better off with a little more kindness and happiness. Isolation is no barrier. Thanks for the visit and the kind comment! Be well.
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Loved this post.❤
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No problem. Your detail and level of reciprocity with your readers is amazing. Thanks for digging mine out of spam.
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Thanks for the lovely reply. I do try to reciprocate. It’s time-consuming, but it’s what I love about blogging. 🙂
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Technically, we could all / each consider that we are all fictional characters and act in ways that make each of us heroes.
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Thank you so much for the comment, Angelo, and I apologize for the very late reply. I just found your comment in spam. Ugh. And yes! I love your comment. We are all writing our lives, aren’t we? And the really cool and scary part is how much control we have over who we are. There’s a great deal of responsibility in that. I hope you’re well and finding ways to be creative and peaceful. Be well.
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It’s the little acts of kindness we give & receive on a daily basis that makes all the difference. And indeed, the pen is mightier than the sword ! Thought provoking post. Thanks for sharing
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Thanks so much for the visit and the kind comment. What a surreal time, isn’t it? There are so many people being kind and I love hearing their stories. I hope we all remember how important kindness is when this is over. Have a lovely weekend, Mayet. Keep the spirits up and stay safe. ❤
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Beautiful post Diana and I agree that no act of kindness, however small, is wasted. Love Gandalf’s quote. 💜
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Hi Miriam. I’m so sorry that I didn’t see your comment until now. You got spammed! Thank you for the kind comment about the post. You are so right that kindness is vital now, as it always is. I hope you’re doing well and taking good care of you and yours. Be well.
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No need for apologies, it happens! Yes, we’re well as I hope you and yours are too. Take care. xx
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You had to know I’d love this one. I think the power of Tolkien’s evocative words are a standard we all aim for. Reaching it may be another thing, but I think it’s valuable to have the standard.
And of course, now is an excellent time to treasure all the good things that remain in this world. : )
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There are a ton of great lines in his writing. Sigh. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. Much needed in the world right now, and many are stepping to the plate. ❤
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I’m so glad I found your blog again! I thought I was following it, and so assumed when I didn’t see new posts that you were no longer blogging. But someone, I had stopped following it. I love the writing advice (I still write fiction in my spare time) and the inspiration. Thank you!
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Ann. I stopped blogging for a long time when my parents’ health took a nose dive and I became a full-time caregiver. Things had calmed down until this virus. Ugh. But back to blogging and happy to connect during this time of isolation. Happy Writing and be well. 🙂
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‘In our political landscape, acts of kindness and compassion are often labeled as weak’
Yes. In the gaming world, kind people, caring people, have long been denigrated as ‘Care Bears’ and portrayed as weak and without value. That disregard was an echo of the real world, and how many view strength and courage.
Covid-19 has shown in stark detail what true heroes really look like, and they don’t swagger around with guns.
Go Care Bears of the world!
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It’s a strange phenomenon, isn’t it? That kindness is perceived as weak? It’s so backwards. I don’t get it at all. And you’re right that the true heroes of this time are those who are stepping up, and in some cases, giving their lives caring for others. Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. ❤
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Completely backwards. And it’s even more baffling given that all Western countries are fundamentally ‘Christian’. I grew up a Catholic before becoming an atheist, and I still remember and live by the parables of the New Testament. They are all about compassion and empathy…kindness. Where the hell did things go so wrong?
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Ditto, ditto, ditto. We are aligned, my friend.
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We are, but wouldn’t it be nice if we were both wrong? -sigh-
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Yes, it would.
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This post deserved to be repeated, Diana. We need a lot more kindness in the world. — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. Your reblog is an act of kindness. ❤ ❤
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Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Tolkien was a religious man. The Bible tells us that we benefit more from the kindness that won’t benefit us back.
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Thanks so much for sharing the post, Suzanne. It seemed like a good one to share during these tough times. I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy. Take care, my friend. ❤
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Just what we need these days!
Stay well
Regards Thom
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Thank you for the kind comment, Thom. I’m heartened to hear stories every day about people going out of their way to care for others, especially our healthcare workers. They’re amazing. There’s hope for us. Take care and I hope your day is filled with kindness. 🙂
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It’s always about the small stuff and never the big stuff!
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So true. The big stuff is nice, but the small stuff adds up into gigantic stuff, and it’s easier to spread around. Thanks for the visit, and I hope you stay healthy and safe. ❤
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Yes, kindness!! Thanks, Diana. Stay safe and stay well. ❤️
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Thanks, Jennie. I’m trying to stay positive and so far so good as far as the virus goes. What a strange time. It’s wonderful to learn about all the kindness in the world during this difficult time. Take care of yourself, my friend. ❤
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I echo your words! 😍
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Everyhing we do and even every thought or Emotion has a deep Impact on everything. And it happens immediately. We are connected and responsible.
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Yes, so true. I’m finding so many encouraging blogs and wonderful caring people. It helps keep the sadness and anxiety at bay. Thank you for the visit. 🙂
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