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The dozen stories in chapter six of Changing with Aging represent a principle so obvious, so simple, it got me thinking about why I fail to practice the message (Be kind) more often each day.
Here is the short list of my lame excuses:
I’m too self-absorbed. I’m focused narrowly on all the little stuff I think may affect my happiness. Little opportunities of kindness toward others go unnoticed.
I’m too busy. This is the lamest excuse of all. “DON, YOU’RE RETIRED.” Free time is a commodity that is now in abundance every day. On Friday, I prepared a list of chores I needed to complete by the end of the day. For organizational purposes, I divided my sheet into Morning, Afternoon and Evening. After five minutes of thought, I came up with zilch.
I fail to recognize the power of kindness. This may be the most honest response. I forget how little acts of kindness can have fabulous outcomes for the receiver. They also can shift my outlook from gloomy to spectacular.
I’m not much for catchy quotes on the bumpers of cars. However, I saw a memorable one on the back of an old pickup that stopped to help a stalled motorist: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”