The Samaritan’s Gift

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions,
and the roots spring up and make new trees.
The greatest work that kindness does to others is that
it makes them kind themselves.”
(Amelia Earhart)

What goes around comes around – and with kindness, it really does. Research shows that being kind to others increases our own levels of happiness as well as theirs. What’s more, it has a knock-on effect: kindness is contagious, so it makes our communities nicer places to be.

Kindness can be as simple as a smile, a thank-you, or a word of encouragement. It’s a way of connecting, even if only for a brief moment, with those we pass in our daily lives. It doesn’t have to cost anything or take much time – what’s important is that, it’s an act of genuine care and thoughtfulness for another person.

To be kind, it’s important for us to be aware of the people around us, and to notice their needs and feelings. We all have an innate compassion but sometimes it takes bit of time for us to tune into it. As the great Dalai Lama says: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

A visual insight presented as a poem, observed while I had gone out for one of my evening strolls and accidentally thought of enjoying some finger-licking KFC pieces:

As I sat, tray on the table,
Alone in my world and cares,
A girl in red caught my eyes:
With sinless stare and a bucket of spares.

A homeless man with a hopeless look
Timidly stood, exploring the bin;
Her eyes grew sad from what she saw,
Whispered to her mom, so keen!

I couldn’t hear what she said
With her glance fixed on him;
But when her mom returned a smile
Her eyes lit up with a wider grin.

Tiny hands held the coins
As she counted every penny:
Her week’s allowance, she decided
Not to keep for herself any.

She left her treasure at the counter
Bringing a meal for the man-in-need;
Little fidgety as she waited,
Quite anxious for her Samaritan deed.

His eyes lit up in awe and wonder
When he saw the meal as a gift –
His hands trembled, his ears unsure,
And then his heart for joy leapt.

He gave his thanks, touched her head,
Then smiled and walked away.
A day in my life I’ll never forget,
Never have I felt that way.

My heart grew lighter and merrier
With the realization that seeped in:
That the man’s spirit and his miserable life
Was brighter, with a tad less chagrin.

That girl in red taught me much,
Who was less than ten years old.
How a simple act keeps a smile intact,
A gift much greater than gold!