Its simple really, or is it?

Kindness themed posters, badges, and cards are everywhere, social media posts tell us that ‘kindness counts’; I’ve created and posted them myself, but do we notice kindness?

I mean, do you really take note of the times when someone held a door open for you, or the time you helped a busy and harassed parent negotiate a flight of steps with their pram, or you let someone ahead of you in the supermarket queue?

It’s the little things that fly under the radar that often make up the small acts of kindness we all benefit from, and perhaps because they seem so insignificant we fail to recognise their impact.

Being on the receiving end of a kind word or deed often results in the kindness being passed on, someone has done something kind for you, so you do something kind for another person. Easy, right? If only it were!

I was once told I was ‘too kind’. It was said as a criticism, as a way to diminish my approach to my working practices, my ethos and my personal values. I took no notice, but these words still resonate with me and hit hard. I continue to be ‘too kind’ because it’s who I am; not a sugary, sweet kind of kindness, just a practical, common-sense kind of kindness.

I try to notice the acts of kindness I receive from friends, family and people who I meet in my everyday life. Recently, a lovely and very kind friend left a card and doughnut at my front door, she sent me a text to say, ‘open your door!’ and that was it. The super kind words in the card and the scrummy treat made me cry but also helped me to recognise that its often the smallest, quietest of actions which impact the most.

If we all did two or three kind things ‘just because’ the world would be a better place, our neighbourhoods and communities would benefit, and people would be happier and more content, I am sure.

The Oxford English dictionary definition of kindness is: ‘the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate’; actions which everyone can achieve in the simplest of ways. Maybe just smiling at someone, listening to a friend or colleague who is going through a tough time, donating to the local food bank or even letting a fellow driver out at a road junction!

Let’s encourage kindness within ourselves, our children and families and recognise the value of a kindness we receive from someone else.

Kindness is a gift…pass it on!

Wendy Smith MBE

Strategic Lead for Community Engagement