True Acts of Kindness

Meya Janelle Redmond

If there’s one thing the world could use more of, it’s definitely kindness. In a world that often seems consumed by hatred and negativity, it’s important to remember the power of kindness. Just a few small acts can often make someone’s day, and it’s always worth taking the time to be kind. From a young age, my parents always taught me The Golden Rule; do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I was told to be nice and respectful to everyone even if they were rude to me. I often wondered, though, why I would be expected to be nice to someone even if they were unkind. I learned the reason when I was older: being nice to someone when they don’t treat you the same, shows that you are the bigger person and that’s where true acts of kindness come in.

In today’s busy world, it’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about others. But taking the time to perform acts of kindness, no matter how small, can really make a difference in the world. Not only will people appreciate it, but you’ll also likely feel good about yourself. In the Waldorf Senior Orientation Week, the senior class spent a day engaging in true acts of kindness. We handed out flowers to strangers on the street, created posters with messages of appreciation and showed them to drivers as they drove by, and wrote kind messages on Post-It Notes for students, faculty and staff and placed them around the school. At the beginning of the day, I wasn’t excited about participating in these activities. I thought it was going to be boring but I was proven wrong. By the end of the day, I felt inspired and energized. I realized that acts of kindness create a ripple effect of positivity in one’s community.

True acts of kindness are those that are done without any expec - tation of something in return. They are done simply to brighten someone’s day, or make their life a little bit easier. There are countless acts of kindness which are carried out every day, all over the world. Sometimes, these acts go unnoticed and unappreciated. However, even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference to someone’s life. Simply telling someone their outfit is nice or that you like their hair may seem small but can definitely have an impact. When I was younger, I used to like different things about people but was too shy to tell them. I was always eager to tell people but never had the courage. I now realize that saying something, not only may make them happy, but it also makes me happy. Also, acts of kindness can inspire others to be kind. In this way, kindness can spread like wildfire.

Kindness is one of the most important qualities that we as human beings can possess. It is what allows us to show compassion and understanding towards others, and it is something which can be used to make a real difference in the world. Acts of kindness are also completely free to give. Anyone can be kind, regardless of their circumstance. Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, it doesn’t matter. I think everyone should have a day to show true acts of kindness. It is guaranteed that you will feel better at the end of the day and you might inspire others, too. Expressing kindness to someone can make a big difference in your life and theirs. One act at a time, we can make the world a better place.