Simple Acts of Kindness

Brian L. Weiss, M.D.

We all dream of a better life in a better society. However, it has become difficult to go through a complete day without becoming disillusioned, disappointed and drained by the mean-spirited and selfish people who surround us. So many people seem to be interested only in their personal gain. They have become rude and arrogant, critical and insensitive. Not only do their actions drag us down, but most of us feel that there's nothing we can do to change this, that only those in power have the capacity to make a difference.

Like a plague, these attitudes are escaping national borders and threatening the rest of the world. Others are actually importing our materialistic and self-centered values.

If we accept our task to be the enlightened beings of our planet, we can begin to change the world. Realistically, I think the changes will occur slowly, as we begin to practice acts of kindness every day, doing little things to help make other people happier. Perhaps the answer is volunteering to help the less fortunate. Perhaps it's something as simple as being nice to someone, doing a kindness without asking for or expecting anything in return.

For years, the television host and actress, Oprah Winfrey, has been advocating the practice of doing simple acts of kindness every day. These acts do not have to be expensive or complex. They can be nothing more than a pleasant smile, a spontaneous compliment, an assist to someone needing help. They can be a kind word, a sweet gesture, a caring action, a compassionate attitude, a shared joy, a helping hand. Little by little, step by step, a huge transformation of our society could begin. People would feel nourished by the kind gestures of others. Fearful attitudes and defensive insecurities would begin to melt away in the warmth of kindness.

Strangers must approach other strangers with these benevolent actions. Kindness and caring cannot be reserved only for our families and friends. Otherwise society will not change at all. We need to reach out to all the others, not merely those like us.

If we could get everyone to perform just a few acts of kindness each day, we could change the world. At least a good beginning could be made.

Our days would seem sweeter, less discouraging, and we would harbor more hope for the future. The model of kind and compassionate behavior to our fellow human beings should be America's export and legacy, not greed-based business practices with money as the bottom line and ruthless, uncaring competition as the means to that end.

In addition, we would be role models for our children. They would learn the power and importance of being kind. They would learn that the actual number of people reached by their simple acts of kindness do not matter. The importance is in the doing.

All the real teachers of humanity since the beginning of time have been telling us about love and compassion in our relationships and in our communities. They have not wasted their time by instructing us about how to accumulate excessive material wealth at the expense of others. They have not taught us to be mean, self-centered, rude or arrogant.

A real master, a real teacher, a real guru will point the way, showing you what is important for your spiritual evolution and what is not important or, even worse, what may be a hindrance or obstacle.

Our job is to manifest their teachings in our everyday life. To be kind and nurturing, to practice loving acts.

There is no time schedule for changing the world. The only important thing is to begin. If it is true that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, then the first step is to let go of our fear and isolation and to begin to practice acts of kindness, whether random or planned, whether big or small, and to do this every day. If the majority of us would do this, we would no longer need gurus. We would be doing what they have come here to teach us.

Changing the world from its current violent, competitive, and hate-filled nature will not happen through the efforts of only a few enlightened individuals, even if they are powerful world leaders. Rather, the day to day acts of kindness and compassion shared between people and within small groups can bring about the change to a more loving and kinder place. People have to understand that we are all equal, all the same, all striving for a little peacefulness, happiness and security in our everyday lives. We can't keep fighting and killing each other.