Some time back, I was travelling by bus and was not feeling too well. I dozed off right after getting my ticket checked and got up when the bus stopped at midway. I wanted to drink something cool but felt too tired to get down from the bus. My co-passenger, with whom I had not exchanged even a single word till then, asked me if he can buy something for me from the shops outside. I hesitated. He said that it was no big deal for him for he was getting down anyways. But it was a big deal for me. His gesture truly touched me and I am grateful for his help, still.
The other day, after a busy day shopping and doing some chores, I took a cab for going back home. As I sat in the cab, I realized that I had skipped lunch and just then my tummy growled to confirm it. I asked the driver to stop at a food joint and I darted out to pick up something to eat. I bought some sandwiches and gave a pack of it to the driver. I cant forget his reaction. He was so happily surprised and said that nobody had ever bought something for him. He had this happy smile on his face that continued till he dropped me at my destination.
13th November is celebrated as World Kindness Day. Kindness is something that we all need and it is something that we all can share with everybody we meet. It’s small little things that make a big difference in our lives. It makes us not only happy but leaves a lasting impression on the receiver too.
Here are some of my favourite quotes on Kindness that inspire me to make a difference…
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. -Mark Twain
Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness. -George Sand
There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity. -Nathaniel Branden
You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force. -Publilius Syrus
Always be a little kinder than necessary. -James M. Barrie
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. -Amelia Earhart
How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it! -George Elliston
One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession. -Sophocles
He that has done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged. -Benjamin Franklin
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. -William Arthur Ward
Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. -Albert Schweitzer
Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you. -Princess Diana
Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”
-Barbara de Angelis
Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. -Scott Adams
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Linking this to…
Making Kindness The Norm #worldkindnessday #makekindnessthenorm at Write Tribe
48 Responses
Totally hearwarmingly beautiful thank you Shilpa-your own experiences and your quotes.
Thanks a lot, Susan, glad you liked the thoughts shared in this post!
Lovely post, Shilpa…and loved that spontaneously kind act of you getting something for the driver to eat!
Thank you Anusuya!
Loved the experiences you shared. You are right. How many of us think of the cabbies while we munch away. Small deeds of kindness can go a long way in making our lives beautiful. Loved the quotes.
True that. It’s the little things in life that mean the most. Thank you Rachna!
Beautiful post. Treat everyone with politeness.
Well said. Thanks SG!
That is such a positive post… loved it…
Glad you enjoyed reading this post, Rekha. Thank you!
Lovely…. This post had me smile all way through… Felt in in the roots of my heart, dear Shilpa. Very inspiring, positive…. Thank you:-)
Thank you Eli. Glad that this post added a smile at your end! 🙂
Lovely thoughts. I wish I was the driver and you’d offered me the sandwich instead. On a serious note, these small gestures of kindness is what makes the world beautiful.
Oh, come over, I’ll not only make sandwich for you but we will have tea/coffee with non-stop chatter too.
Agree with you. Like they say do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
Those instances were both so simple and yet so sweet. Being kind isn’t difficult at all and yet we rarely remember to make small gestures such as these.
Oh yes, we can be kind, always!!
Beautiful quotes. We in the United States are not being kind to each other – it’s just the opposite. This is not a good time. We could all use some kindness today.
Sending positive and happy vibes your way, Alana! A big hug to you! ♥
The joy of buying food to people…something I cherish…makes me feel so contented with life!
Oh yes, it’s so satisfying inspiring!
That gesture you showed towards the cab driver touched me as it touched him. And I am sure he, in turn, must have carried forward that act of kindness by doing something for someone else. That’s how kindness goes… a long way…like a chain reaction.
Beautiful post, Shilpa! ♡
I liked your thought, Shilpa. Yes, these small acts can cause a ripple effect and can bring smiles in lives of so many people around us. Thanks for dropping by and reading this post! 🙂
I’m partial to this quote:
Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. -Albert Schweitzer
We need more constant kindness.
Lovely quotes and those two incidents were so heart warming. So sweet and makes me think there is enough kindness in the world. Just that we can’t trust people for all that keeps happening around.
I love this one quote by Emily Dickenson that’s my favorite:
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
kindness is contagious…I’m sure the bus driver would have passed on the kindness to someone else.
I think the quote by Scott Adams says exactly that…Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
That act of buying something to eat always warms the receiver’s heart, no? 🙂 Such a warm post, Shilpa.
Very beautiful quotes shilpa, some of it is my favourite ones too; felt so good reading this post, and thank you for sharing your personal experience shilpa:)
Lovely quotes and lovelier experiences you have shared, Shilpa…yes little acts of kindness makes life so worthwhile.
I can appreciate your driver’s reaction, Shilpa. I’ve seen that happen with cab and auto drivers too. They are so used to being treated as nobodies that they’re always surprised by kindness!
All quotes on kindness are really wonderful. And the first is my favorite.
Thoughtful gestures go a mile for sure and dont cost us much anyways. But in our harum scarum world we tend to forget this and ofen overlook the need to be kind.
Lovely post Shilpa; brightened up my day!
Totally with you on this. Kindness is such a beautiful emotion and it makes us all feel human and humane. Just the thought that someone thought of you is energizing. Loved the quotes as well.
Beautiful quotes
Isn’t that such a lovely thing you did! What an amazing post, Shilpa. Loved the compilation of the quotes too 🙂
Such beautiful quotes, Shilpa! And, so true…every word here about kindness! If only each one of us was kind towards the others, our world would be such a beautiful, peaceful place, don’t you think?
A little kindness definitely goes a long way towards making someone’s day brighter. The sad thing is, it’s often a surprise when that happens because it’s not commonplace. I agree it should be a normal part of life, every day, everywhere.
What a blessing to be at the receiving end, as well as at the giving end when it comes to kindness. I love all these quotes. I enjoyed reading about your own random acts of kindness givers! Happy World Kindness Day!
How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it. Jalal
Beautiful quotes, Shilpa and so true and inspiring! So good to read about your random acts of kindness today! These little acts grow up to create positive thoughts that give us the lens with which to see the world. 🙂
That is so nice of you. He for sure is never going to forget it. these simple acts of kindness is what makes our world beautiful.
Love these wonderful quotes
Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you. -Princess Diana
Doesn’t this quote have an underlying expectation that you may expect an act of kindness in return someday/
While I am not a really kind person, having had my kindness flung on my face ( once a beggar boy gave away the sandwich I had given him telling me that it could be NON VEG!), I myself have been at the receiving end of complete strangers – kindess of a magnitude that it came at a time when it really mattered. So I truly appreciate the fact that there are kind people in this world.
You’re a kind and thoughtful person, Shilpa. I think that some lack empathy with others, and cannot imagine what it feels like to be someone else – I’m not sure that they mean to be unkind, and even kind people can occasionally be distracted and thoughtless of others’ needs. What you did for the cab driver, as well you know, has less to do with feeding him than with SEEING him and nurturing him. I imagine he’ll pay it forward. You’ve probably seen this, already, but it’s my favorite video on YouTube, I think: https://youtu.be/nwAYpLVyeFU
Loved both the stories. I think if we keep passing on kindness, there would be so much good in the world. I loved those quotes. A great collection there, Shilpa!
I agree. Kindness can go a long way indeed. And kindness and compassion are highly required in social media too
Kindness is an incomparable human gesture for sure Shilpa!
Truth out spreads love.❤❤❤❤❤
I completely agree. Loved reading your stories, and the compilation of quotes!
Those quotations really spoke to me. That is quite the collection you have, Shilpa!