How do we combat the mess of our world? With a little kindness

The world seems a particular mess just now. The news is full of disasters, anxiety about the future, loss of hope. Aggression and combative arguments among politicians. Reports of high levels of loneliness, record levels of self harming among teenage girls in this country, low self esteem and confidence. Trafficking, slavery, oppression, war, injustice, poverty.

Sometimes the weight of it all seems almost too much. It is tempting to take a head-in-the-sand approach, or at least head under the duvet, especially on a cold, dreich Glasgow day.

What can I, in my small way, do to make any kind of difference?

Of course, there is no one answer to that question.  Depending on who we are, our circumstances, and the choices we make, there are multiple ways that we as individuals can make a difference to the world around us.

But one answer that is upper most in my mind just now?

Kindness.

MB and I had a lovely evening last month listening to the marvelous Scottish comedian Susan Calman talking about her new book, Sunny Side Up. Her book is about exactly this. The world is a mess, but if we each chose in our own way to spread a little kindness, that would be a good start. We need more kindness and joy in life, is her central premise. And this from someone with a well documented history of depression (documented powerfully by her own good self in another book) and who describes herself as “the grumpiest woman in the world”. I commend the book to you, it is funny, quirky in parts and very honest.

The need for kindness in our every day lives and in our world is more pressing than ever. But not new.

A friend posted this beautiful quote this week:

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

Isn’t that a beautiful image? I see a heart weighted and heavy, but being lifted and nurtured and lightened a bit in it’s load by the kind word from someone. That quote is from an ancient collection of wisdom writings – the Biblical book of Proverbs. Written some two and a half thousand years ago, and just as relevant if not more so today.

I was told a lovely story this week of someone’s sister who was at the till in a supermarket and, preoccupied by a recently diagnosed serious illness, discovered she had forgotten her purse. The woman in the queue behind her paid for her shopping, with no expectations of repayment. Simply out of kindness to this distressed woman’s plight.

 

When was the last time you did something kind for a friend? That is important, and necessary, and lovely.

But when was the last time you did something kind for a stranger? A smile, a gesture, a helping hand?

And when was the last time you were in receipt of a kind act or word? What impact did it have on your day?

Kindness – the more we give away, the more we receive back in return. Sometimes it costs us, sometimes not. But always worth it.