Alumnae Association

Kappa Delta Phi N.A.S. Alumnae Association

Dear Sisters of KDPNAS, Inc.

I am thankful for this opportunity to reach out to you through the Kappa Quill and to share some thoughts and insights about our ideals and how we continue to affect change and leave our mark on the world around us. Let us talk about kindness. Kindness is one of our three guiding principals and has been since the founding of the national sorority. Nearly all the world’s religions and philosophies speak to the need for us to be kind as an individual and as a member of our global society, but do we really know what kindness is? Karyn Hall, Ph. D. is the author of Pieces of Kindness and in a verified article titled, "The Importance of Kindness (Psychology Today)" shares this: “Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness. Being kind often requires courage and strength. Kindness is an interpersonal skill.” Our very existence is heavily dependent on kindness. According to the article even Darwin argued that “sympathy and caring for others is instinctual.” Hall further asserts that “science has shown that devoting resources to others, rather than having more and more for yourself, brings about lasting well-being. Kindness has been found by researchers to be the most important predictor of satisfaction and stability in a marriage.” I would argue that our ability to be kind is the root of who we are as individuals. Life is not always kind and each of us knows individuals whose lives have not known much, if any, kindness. History is filled with examples of man’s inhumanity to man. To counter that, history also reminds and encourages us to be mindful…that we need to be kind. Search for opportunities. Expect nothing as repayment. Some of my personal reminders are these: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. —1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. —2 Peter 1:5-8 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. —Galatians 5:22-23 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. —Matthew 7:12 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. —Deuteronomy 24:19

We need not know or be in a relationship with an individual or a group of people to practice kindness. We do not have to be of the same political party, religion, ideology, gender, race, et al to practice kindness. Ours should not be the deciding factor in who is worthy of kindness. Hall shares that “there are different ways to practice kindness. One way to be kind is to open your eyes and to be active when you see people in need. Do you notice when people could use a helping hand? A sense of community is created when people are kind to those who need help.” I venture to say that we all need help. “Opening your eyes means noticing when others are suffering. A kind word, a smile, opening a door, or helping carry a heavy load can all be acts of kindness.” And helping an elderly (or needy) neighbor with yardwork or food, sharing resources, refusing to gossip (good one), donating extra clothing, furniture, utensils, sharing our physical and financial resources, and our time are all examples of reaching out in the name of kindness. I encourage each undergraduate and alumnae sister to look for ways to demonstrate kindness. You will not have