In praise of kindness

We had to read his Cautionary Tales when I was at little school. I can still remember learning most of 'Jim' - whose friends were very good to him . . . . and 'Henry King', whose 'chief defect was bits of string' !! Both came to a sticky end!

That's the one!
I had to read it aloud at an elocution competion!
I've always loved it!
Along with his other owner music sounds
Gone is my soul I know

And

A piper on the streets today

I think that he is a forgotten and underestimated poet!

Galen Here it is:

Courtesy

Of Courtesy, it is much less
Than Courage of Heart or Holiness,
Yet in my Walks it seems to me
That the Grace of God is in Courtesy.

On Monks I did in Storrington fall,
They took me straight into their Hall;
I saw Three Pictures on a wall,
And Courtesy was in them all.

The first the Annunciation;
The second the Visitation;
The third the Consolation,
Of God that was Our Lady's Son.

The first was of St. Gabriel;
On Wings a-flame from Heaven he fell;
And as he went upon one knee
He shone with Heavenly Courtesy.

Our Lady out of Nazareth rode -
It was Her month of heavy load;
Yet was her face both great and kind,
For Courtesy was in Her Mind.

The third it was our Little Lord,
Whom all the Kings in arms adored;
He was so small you could not see
His large intent of Courtesy.

Our Lord, that was Our Lady's Son,
Go bless you, People, one by one;
My Rhyme is written, my work is done.

Fair hair, how brave you are. Welcome back. I too think kindness is one of the most important qualities any of us can have or receive .

I've tried
To paste and copy a poem by Hilaire Belloc called
COURTESY
Can't manage to do it.
I think courtesy and kindness are very alike!

Welcome back Fairhair

*BIG LOVE to you *FAIRHAIR , so happy everything went well, and thankx so much for keeping in touch !

I'm home and have never been happier! I want to celebrate my sobriety with you ladies and gentlemen. I'd would be so pleased if you would consider doing a random act of kindness for me. My heart is still heavy at times and the though of kindness being spread would help continue the smile on my face! Love to all. Annie

This week I have both given and received kindness - and I do think it's important to maintain a good balance. Under the influence of children's story writers of the 50's I grew up wanting to be a 'nice', 'kind' person. This was all well and good, but suffering from shyness and low self-esteem I found it very hard, for many years, to accept kindness from others.
In recent years I've learned how to receive - and my life is so much richer. I have also had to learn the limits of being kind and sometimes let others do 'kind' things instead of me; when, for instance, my health hasn't been good.

Loved your poems pogs

Some here wisewoman:

Random Acts of Kindness stickers

I do so agree that a little kindness is so important in all our day to day lives. I used to have a car sticker which said "Commit Random Acts of Kindness". It fell off and I have never been able to find another one! it made lots of people smile when they saw it. There are lots of kind people on gransnet.

Butter

I've just spent an hour with a 92 year old, who is disabled. She has just travelled down through France. What a delight she is - bright and warm. Over a cup of tea we chatted about this and that - nothing special - but she held my hand throughout and her eyes were full of kindness and an understanding of life. A special meeting between two strangers.

oops that should be made me feel ! (warm)

I've enjoyed reading all your comments, made me feel [sun]. I recently read an article (which is what got me thinking about kindness in general) about putting kindness back into professional environments, that said that kindness makes people emotionally attractive, and encompasses friendliness, consideration and generosity. I like all of those.

There was an item on Radio 4 some time ago, an interview with a man who is now a charity worker for the homeless. He had been deported from the USA ending up here, living on the streets and a petty criminal. He told of how he was arrested and in a police cell one night and the custody officer came along and said "Eh mate do you want a cup of tea." The man concerned said that this simple act of kindness was a turning point for him. He felt that at last someone had cared about his welfare because they had offered him that very simple act of comfort.

I think the British solution to offer a "cup of tea" in an emergency or crisis just shows a persons wish to offer support and comfort at a time when there is nothing else you can do for a person. However mundane or pointless it may seem in our cynical world is an act of real kindness.

That's lovely POGS

OOPS

Should read

Kindess is a helping hand
Across a busy street
Kindness is the loving smile
Which makes our joy complete.

Grannyknot.

Kindness is a loving word
That no one else can hear
Kindness is a little song
That brings a world of cheer

Kindness is a friendly face
When one is growing old
Kindness is a glowing warmth
When all the world is cold

Kindness is a helping hand
Across a busy street
Which makes our joy complete

Kindness is a 'something'
We never really see
But how immense the difference
It makes to you and me.

I like that, soop.

Grannyknot I like the following quotation - 'Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.' [Theodore Isaac Rubin]

When my daughter was dangerously ill and I had to fly back to England the next day, my French neighbours rallied round, took care of my cat and looked after my house and garden for the four months I had to be away.
I have had to learn to accept kindness - it takes as much grace to receive as it does to give. I constantly receive kindness here and on other forums. Yesterday, Juragran came home from England and had gone to the trouble of finding a spin drier for me as I don't have room for a washing machine in my little flat. I have been wringing out washing by hand, but I wasn't looking forward to trying to get things dry in the Winter. She also brought me big packs of bacon, sausage and Yorkshire Tea. Thank you, friends!

i agree nanaej, little every day kindnesses are what makes the daily grind, more pleasant. Kindness is infectious the more you receive the more you want to give. My DD has instilled it into my DGC and I think, despite a few lapses, they are very thoughtful and kind children. Nice thread Grannyknot

You reminded me nanej of the wonderful kindness we found in Japan. From people asking if they could help 2 very perplexed looking Europeans at railway station and monuments, to teenagers wanting to go out of their way to take us to the Peace Park in Hiroshima when we had (surprise, surprise!!) caught the wrong bus and people stopping us in the street to ask if we liked their country. Later, and above all, the kindness we found while our son was in hospital which extended to offers of accommodation from complete strangers and people being ready to translate all the medical jargon should we need help.