“A kind heart is a fountain of gladness,
making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.” … Washington Irving

***

Many times the blank page draws me into a world of discovery. What appears to be emptiness waits patiently for words that will playfully attempt to explain who I am, why I am here, and what I alone see with my eyes.

I am not so deceived to believe that anyone cares, and am well aware that any quest to understand the workings of my mind is anything but fail safe. Undaunted I welcome the adventure, thrilled when the journey brings opportunity, and humbled when inevitable change creates sadness and tears.

Fear alone has power to quiet the singing of the lark, but fearless dreams will awaken an unstoppable spirit of curiosity and imagination.

When I embrace my place in the Universe I remember that I am OK. As are you.

What a wonderful thought. I feel like ten thousand souls, and welcome the peace that comes with silent conversation.

Listening intently today, I discovered that there are no less than 43 synonyms for kindness, an abundance of words to begin filling blank pages.

Consulting the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary we find that the definition of kindness is :

1 : a kind deed

2 : the quality or state of being kind

The beauty of a dictionary is that it helps one to find a starting place, a state of mind, a set of tools that allows further exploration of curious thoughts. To help us get started let’s see what M-W has to say about the word kind :

1 : affectionate, loving

2 a : of a sympathetic or helpful nature

   b : of a forbearing nature : gentle

   c : arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance <a kind act>

3 : of a kind to give pleasure or relief

My mother and father were affectionate and loving. Sadly, my mother has passed, but my father continues to be his gentle, nurturing, and encouraging soul.

I have no doubt that your thoughts lovingly embrace the faces of the many kind souls in your life as well. We can be grateful for the wealth of kindness in our lives, and should be resolute in our efforts to pass forward the kindnesses we have received.

Fortunately, it is simple, and every day offers opportunities.

Smile at the next person you meet. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

A smile touches the life of another. A smile says, “I want you to be happy”. It conveys a character that is gentle, considerate, and inclined to benevolent actions. It asks for nothing in return, and more often than not, is the recipient of far more than it gives. It has the power to heal, it shares the goodness in your heart, and it is contagious.

A smile is a stone cast upon the waters. Rolling gently in every direction, its effect caresses everything it touches. It is joy in the service of others, and its ripple effect travels far beyond what the eyes can see. How far these ripples of goodness travel is of no matter, there are other stones to cast.

Affection is always accompanied by a smile, perhaps not always in plain sight, but forever within a good heart. Smile inside, share your kindness and affection. Many will be grateful.

So, let’s return to the 43 synonyms for kindness. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

affection, altruism, amiability, beneficence, benevolence, charity, clemency, compassion, consideration, cordiality, courtesy, decency, delicacy, fellow feeling, forbearance, gentleness, good intention, good will, generosity, goodness, grace, graciousness, heart, helpfulness, hospitality, humanity, indulgence, kindliness, magnanimity, mildness, patience, philanthropy, serviceability, solicitousness, solicitude, sweetness, sympathy, tact, tenderness, thoughtfulness, tolerance, understanding, unselfishness

43 different ways to be kind. Today.

From the old, reliable M-W :

Affection : tender attachment

It is a gift, that people come into our lives. They leave us dazed by stirring our emotions, they leave us yearning, having shared their love, they leave us to do good things, having touched our lives with kindness.

We are truly blessed.

Affection for those who treat us well is simple. To tenderly attach to someone who loves you is not difficult. Yet, life is not always the happy place we like it to be. Many times we perceive the actions of others to be not in our best interest.

Perhaps that is true, but every one fights their own battles, and to show affection without judgement, is an honorable act of kindness. While affection may reserve its miracles for those we love deeply, true kindness never makes a choice.

Everyone we meet is worthy of kindness. There are no exceptions.

Today, we could participate in kindness by tenderly embracing the goodness in our hearts, accepting it with gratitude, and recognizing that it is not ours to keep, but rather, is ours to share with the world.

If we were to focus solely on giving, and detach from all thoughts of receiving anything in return, how might we change the world?

Demonstrating unselfish interest in the welfare of others, would brighten the faces of sadness, lighten the loads of many, and work wonders in the hearts of us all.

Volunteer your time at a charitable home for the elderly. You will make someone’s day.

Adopt a pet, and give it the love it deserves. A pet’s love is unconditional.

Call or write someone you love, and tell them why.

Because within your heart there is a kind, loving, and generous soul that awakens to it’s purpose when tenderly embracing the lives of others.