Kindness
As we start a new year, we typically hope it will be a good one.
In my humble opinion, one way to make it a good year is to focus on our own
expressions of genuine kindness.
Kindness is a big word. Its
synonyms provide a little insight into the vast nature of kindness.
One who is compassionate expresses a propensity for sympathy & mercy.
Benevolence implies altruism, a charitable nature, the tendency to be
looking out for others more than oneself, & a stalwart commitment to doing
good.
One who is benign is gentle & mild.
A
gracious
person exudes a kind warmth, a courteous
elegance, & shows a propensity for tact, charm, & good taste.
Someone
who is thoughtful is contemplative
& encourages the well-being & happiness of others.
Those
who have an innately kind disposition or
character are said to be kindhearted or kindly.
One
who is courteous shows gracious
consideration toward others & displays good manners & etiquette.
One
who is sympathetic shows a
susceptibility to the feelings of others & sometimes an altruism inspired
by that susceptibility.
One
who is empathetic has the capacity
to understand others’ points of view & can strongly identify with another’s
situation & emotions.
Here’s
to a new year filled with all the many facets of kindness.
Big thanks to this week’s sources Thesaurus.com, The 1959
Webster’s New World Dictionary, Wordnik, Merriam-Webster & the OED
I especially love this subject ... so important to humanity.
ReplyDeleteAlways great to read your essays. I love reading them.
And on my birthday too.
Makes it extra special.
Hey Christie - happy birthday - may the coming year be filled with kind people. Thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteYay for Kindness!!!
ReplyDeleteGwen
I love the line in Auld Lang Syne about "drinking a cup of kindness." What a great sentiment for the New Year! Let's drink to more kindness, courteousness, thoughtfulness and benevolence in 2016!
ReplyDeleteDearest Miss Allen,
ReplyDeleteAmen to that. I'll drink a cup of kindness any day.
Ah...to have all of these qualities would be so grand! Even a few would be grand. May we all strive to be kind, gracious and thoughtful in 2016.
ReplyDeleteI like all the varied nuances of kindness. There are so many ways to be kind. Thanks, Charlie.
ReplyDeleteAnd you, Vickie, move gracefully through all those ways.
ReplyDelete