Sunday, March 20, 2011

Kindness of Kinda Hard to Find




**another topic "Kindness" suggested by a follower

Kindness. Hmm.

I think I am kind. Well, I can BE kind when I choose to. It is not something that typically happens naturally.

Let me explain...

I USED to be very kind. We're talking pre-14 years old. I think life and exiting that protective bubble I was telling you about in the previous post  - sort of forced me to toughen up.

I smile. I come off as very friendly. But friendly and true kindness are two totally different things in my book.

How far off am I on the definition? Let's consult the experts:

Kindness - is the act or the state of being kind —ie. marked by goodness and charitable behaviour, mild disposition, pleasantness, tenderness and concern for others. It is known as a virtue, and recognized as a value in many cultures and religions .

Friendliness - is a tendency to be pleasant and accommodating in social situations. In contemporary personality psychology, "friendliness" (or "agreeableness)  is one of the five major dimensions of personality structure, reflecting individual differences in concern for cooperation and social harmony.  People who score high on this dimension are empathetic, considerate, friendly, generous, and helpful. They also have an optimistic view of human nature. They tend to believe that most people are honest, decent, and trustworthy.



Hmm
 
I have some friends that I would consider truly kind. My friend from college, Tania, is a perfect example. She was probably one of the nicest people I had ever met. Also - one of the kindess people I have ever met.
 
My friend Crystal exhibits kindness, however - she has revealed that she enjoys doing for others and making them happy, because when she is the one responsible for making a person happy, it makes her feel better about herself. Which at the end of the day, everyone wins.
 
But what about the people who TRULY are kind, just because it is the right thing to do - regardless of whether people acknowledge or appreciate the effort.
 
Those people.. are a little more difficult to identify. I think more like a Saint. Seriously, that's what comes to my mind. Or a Mother Theresa type.
 
In this day and age, that's a little harder to find.
 
What about you? Do you consider yourself kind? Do you truly know kind people?

8 comments:

Pamela Fagan Hutchins said...

Ugh, I don't know. I think I am kind to my friends and family. I want to believe I have kindness in me. I don't know that I always dust it off and use it as often as I should. This is a great post -- I'll be thinking about kindness allw eek.

The Bipolar Diva said...

That's a good question. I have no idea. Although, my kids think I'm a nazi.

Rebecca said...

good question most people think i'm pretty mean and cold but i like to think i'm kind.

Dafeenah said...

I am kind but a bitch at the same time. Most people know I am a bitch and very few know I am kind. I am married to a ملاك
/قديس your egyptian will understand what that is.

Bossy Betty said...

I am disgustingly kind. Some people find that kind of disgusting.

Anonymous said...

I'm kind...when I feel like it. It's hard to be kind all the time when you live in NYC. If I gave money to every person who asked me for it...I would have issues.

Despite being in my selfish early twenties, I like to think I'm capable of a lot of empathy. Even if I'm not nice, I feel bad about it afterward.

Mrs. Indecisive said...

I'd like to think I'm very kind. But I can be very very selfish, so it evens out.

Tamika D. said...

I'm kind. Moody at times, but kind. :0) I surround myself with people that are truly kind...I wouldn't have it any other way.

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