Kindness and its impact on everyday life
Why does it have a poor reputation?
Hello again,
I trust this finds you well and safe in this turbulent world of ours.
I have been thinking over the last few weeks about kindness. Recently it seems to have gone out of favour, relegated to the ineffectual pile, a trite thing to say ‘be nice’ to people.
I don’t agree.
Kindness at its heart is a good thing. It can be as simple as holding open a door, helping to carry shopping, or just being supportive.
In the words of St Francis of Assisi - For it is in giving that we receive.
There are many ways to be kind in this world, and it is now being studied. Classing kindness as a tangible thing with real, measurable results. The University of Sussex Kindness Research Network, together with BBC Radio 4, are asking for our input. It aims to ‘explore, investigate and illuminate its [kindness’] impact on people and communities.’
It can be a simple act of help or support which can take little or no effort, but which could mean the world to the recipient.
I recently took part in the 3 Day Novel Competition, and a large part of what got me through was the kindness of others. First, my wife, without her support, I would never have made the time to take part. Second, to all the other LWS Patreons who also took part, freely giving their advice and support, and just their presence. It made an enormous difference.
Encouragement, support, just being there for someone, it need not take up much time or use much effort, but can make such a difference.
I urge you all to be kind, not only to your loved ones, to your friends, but also to complete strangers. It is these small acts of kindness that can make the world a better place to be and live.
In previous missives, I have mentioned that I believe we all carry a spark of the divine source within us. Try to connect with that spark within others and recognize that we are all spirit at heart from the same energy source.
I am looking forward to seeing the results of the Kindness Test when they publish next year via the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4.
Until next time, as ever, may your angels and guides watch over you and protect you until we meet again.
Love and Light,
Tracy
Things that have resonated with me this week
Marianne Williamson ‘If you fill your mind with love, then fear won’t have a chance.’
The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi, I have always loved this sung as a hymn in the Spiritualist Churches in the UK
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
And where there is sadness, joy,
Grant that I may not so much as seek to be consoled and to console,
To be understood, as to understand,
To loved as to love,
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Website Links
Sussex Kindness Research
www.sussex.ac.uk/research/centres/kindness/
You can find The Kindness Test at the link below:
The Kindness Test
Marianne Williamson
marianne.com