Simple word, but what is ‘kind’? Do we ‘practice’ it automatically? Or, is it an action that we have to consciously ‘do’? Because if you are looking at an operational definition of the word, then kind is an action, is visible, and is a behavior that is extended toward others. In my world of definitions, ‘kind’ is reward-less. You act kind because that’s what is motivating you and in the act you discover that that is the reward.
Some years ago there was a ‘random acts of kindness’ campaign. But isn’t it somewhat sad that we need to specialize kindness? Shouldn’t ‘kind’ be automatically part of our behavior? Yes… but that doesn’t always seem to be the typical MO. Being kind is something you choose to be. And I don’t mean to imply that it is necessarily easy… at first. But like any muscle or any new behavior – it can become a habit, a way you look at life and others. It becomes a mindset, a lifestyle. At least it can.
Kind is more than being polite… though kind people are polite, however not all polite people are kind. Kind is a valuing not just a tolerating of others. But kind doesn’t equivocate either – it doesn’t suborn the truth. Being kind is not for wimps, not for those who have a quid pro quo mindset. And it is strong. Primarily because you have to know why you believe as you do and aren’t threatened by an opposing philosophy.
Returning to my definition of the word, ‘gracious’ is also associated with kind. Again, a word that is often mis-defined. Webster’s defines gracious as: pleasing, merciful, compassionate, urbane. What a good companion for ‘kind’. I’m not certain you can be kind without being gracious. Being and acting kind is not done for personal gain – it’s done because that’s who you are. There is a caveat to being kind… some people will think they can take advantage of this. However – I never said ‘kind’ was gullible or naive.
…but, what do you think?
