|
About This Author
My name is Joy, and I love to write.
Why poetry, here? Because poetry uplifts its writer, and if she is lucky enough, her readers, too. Around us, so many objects abound to write about. Once a poet starts with a smallest, most trivial object, he shall discover that his pen will spill out what is most delicate or most majestic hidden inside him. Since the classics sometimes dealt with lofty subjects with a lofty language, a person with poetry in his soul may incline to emulate that. That is understandable. Poetry does that to a person: it enlarges the soul and gives it wings. Yet, to really soar, a poet needs to take off from the ground.
 
|
Daily Cascade
Since my old blog "Everyday Canvas "  became overfilled, here's a new one. This new blog item will continue answering prompts, the same as the old one.
Cool water cascading to low ground
To spread good will and hope all around.
November 13, 2025 at 1:56pm November 13, 2025 at 1:56pm
| |
Prompt:
November 12 was Kindness Day. Did you show kindness to anyone?
========
I didn't know yesterday was Kindness Day. It is funny how we've gotten into the habit of naming calendar days for one thing or another. I try to be kind enough, mostly, because kindness matters when it is done subtly and with no fanfare.
Then, I have been very lucky with all the kindness shown to me in my life, starting with my very young days. When my father passed away when I was seven, several of my uncles and my mother's uncle took it on themselves to fill the gap in my life. I'll never forget their kindnesses in all forms, which was also replicated by some of the women relatives in the family. Yet, it wasn't only the family, but other people everywhere who have shown kindness to me to this day that made me believe in the good of the humankind.
As I mentioned in the first paragraph of this entry, kindness matters because it builds strong relationships and social connections. It also starts a chain reaction. This happens when people pay it forward, mostly, and create a ripple effect and encourage others.
Not to mention that kindness also benefits the one who gives first. Did you ever hear of "feel good" chemicals (oxytocin) in the body? Such chemicals increase confidence and well-being. Best yet, kindness is a powerful way to teach the younger generations by being an example.
The way I see it, kindness doesn't expect any reward or even an acknowledgement. This is because kindness has to do with the understanding of others' problems, and willingness to help in some way, be it a tiny gesture. Kindness is also intentional as a kind person tries to ease someone else's problems or make their day better, be it in small ways
Those small ways can be saying, "Thank you!" and showing appreciation, helping someone with a task, checking in on a friend who may be alone or lonely, offering help to someone when we see that they need help. This kind of behavior that doesn't expect any gratitude or recognition shows a generous heart and a person who understands and shares others' feelings and burdens.
I also have to add that animals, too, deserve our kindness, whether they are wild or domesticated ones. I am not saying that we should try to help a hurt wild animal alone without any know-how, as our so-called help could prove wrong and we can get hurt ourselves. Instead, trying to get in touch with an animal welfare group should be the way.
After all, kindness takes practice to understand and feel it. Our kind acts such as a smile, a nice word, an unexpected deed, or a planned surprise can make people feel good. This way, we pass along hope. We promote peace. We show the power of kindness.
In short, kindness is grace.
|
© Copyright 2025 Joy (UN: joycag at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Joy has granted InkSpot.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
|
...
Comment • View 2 comments 
