Kindness Makes the World Go Round
- Knowledge
- 01st March 2021
Written by Aradhita Saraf (Weloquent)
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
“How much is an ice cream sundae?”
“50 cents,” replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it.
“How much is a dish of plain ice cream?” he inquired. Some people were now waiting for a table and the waitress was a bit impatient.
“35 cents,” she said brusquely.
The little boy again counted the coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and departed.
When the waitress came back, she began wiping down the table and then swallowed hard at what she saw.
There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were 15 cents – her tip.
Moral: Always leave room for kindness.
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The best and easiest way to bring joy into this world is through the universal language of kindness. And here’s a secret - it doesn’t have to cost you anything! A kind word, a warm hug, a favour, a big smile - are all ways in which you can make your world a happier one.
Respect Your Environment
Be kind to Earth, and she will be kinder to you. Plant a tree every month in your neighbouring park, backyard, or street side, and make your environment cleaner and greener. All you need to do is collect the seeds of the fruits and vegetables you eat, and plant them in the soil. To take this one step forward, set up three dustbins (compost, recycling, and plastic waste) for your society to expedite the process of waste-management - a big step towards a clean environment.
Be Mindful of Your Society
It is not enough to simply make friends with those of your age in your neighbourhood. We must take responsibility for everybody who works for our society - which includes the milkman, the trash collector, the gardener, the car washer, the electrician etc. They help us live comfortable lives, and in return we must ensure we do our bit to bring a smile on their faces.
Ensure they are treated with respect, and not yelled at by society members, share your sweets with them, give them your books after you are done reading them, and show them gratitude for providing an essential service.
Don’t Stop Making Friends
We often feel like we have enough friends to last us a lifetime, but there is no such thing as “too many friends.” Extend a hand of friendship whenever you can - be it a student who needs academic help to score better, or a young boy serving tea at a nearby stall - everybody could do with a little bit of help.
We don’t have to be kind because that is what is expected of us - the barista in the story least expected it. We should be kind because it has the power to make a friend.
Spend Time with Your Family
It is easy to take family for granted, since they are always around, and do so much for us. The least we can do is spend time with them - and that’s all they really ask.
Instead of locking ourselves in our rooms we should leave the door open, inviting conversations, or better still study, read, play with them while they do their chores. Lend them a hand at their work, and know that the very effort to help them around, will take a big load off their shoulders.
Be Kind to Yourself
Life throws too much at us, and juggling every aspect of our lives optimally can be very overwhelming. In this seemingly maddening rush, it is most important to be kind to ourselves.
We must make it a habit to pause and reflect on our day, and thank ourselves for all the good we did that day. A mere 5 minutes after we wake up, and 10 minutes before we go to bed, should do the trick. And every once in a while, treat yourself to something you love, and buy yourself that Ice Cream Sundae. :)
Remember, kindness makes the world go round.