Kindness, Lets make it a habit.

It's been a while but something has turned up which I believe is meaningful and therefore worth writing about. Those of you who are now Twitter addicts like myself will have received an abundance of tweets during the New Year with very positive content, be it in your personal life goals or in your work or profession. The one which struck a chord for me though was without doubt a very simple one and the more I read it the more I felt good about it. It is the simple act of kindness and the ability that we all have to help each other.


"There are three ways to ultimate success,
The first way is to be kind,
The second way is to be kind,
The third way is to be kind"

To me this speaks volumes, but why should we be kind you could ask? For that question there is a very simple answer, because we can. It is the humanity which we all hold within ourselves that makes this World the great place it is, the ability to help others for no reason other than to help another person or stranger in their moment of need, is a great thing to do.

But for me there is also another reason as to why I help others. I recall as a much younger man, a young man in his very early twenties sitting by a pool in Spain enjoying the sun, the beautiful surroundings and all in all having a great day. This came to a very abrupt end when an older lady suddenly realised she had floated into the deep end of the swimming pool and panicked as she couldn't touch the bottom of the pool and keep her head above water. I can recall this moment vividly, this elderly lady screaming in panic and everything stopped, there was no movement, there was total silence and inaction from everyone around the pool area. Everyone stood transfixed as to what was happening and yet no one made any effort to help or assist. Time stood still for what felt like an eternity until eventually someone finally made a move, rest assured it all turned out well in the end.

However for me it is a moment which I shall never forget, one which rendered me helpless not knowing what to do or how to help in any way, it made me feel inadequate and ashamed.

That experience has defined a part of me which without doubt has made me a better person and more whole. The ability to help is very much a part of me and has became so natural I do it without even thinking. A kind word here and there, the light touch of an arm, a reassuring look or welcoming unfamiliar people and making sure they are comfortable whilst introducing them to others. Should I see someone struggling in any shape or form, it could be a heavy bag, or someone who you know is finding the day difficult, I make time for them and do my best to make sure they are okay, what do you get for this effort on your part, in truth a very meaniningful thankyou, nothing more and nothing less.

However these acts of kindness are never forgotten by those you may have helped and I believe that any act of kindness or help comes back ten fold. Acts of kindness and helping others takes very little effort and its the small things that make people feel good about themselves and these small acts of kindness builds trust and deep meaningful relationships, as you are there for them at that moment in time when they need that act of kindness or help.

So, the next time you see someone struggling, offer them some help. If they are not smiling give them one of yours with a good morning or a hello, watch their eyes and see how they react you will be amazed and from that moment a relationship can be built, a relationship built from that one small act of ki