Simple Kindness

“This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.”  ~ Dalai Lama XIV

Kindness does not need to be big to create an enormous ripple in this world. Kindness echoes from the giver to the receiver to all those who witness it to all who hear of the story and  to all who share it with others. 

The hallmarks of kind deeds are that they are offered with humility, utmost respect, directly from the heart and  with no expectation of return.   Small kindnesses make a big difference in the world.  It is a simple statement that we are all in this life together. That we value sharing and generosity whether it is a smile to a stranger on the street, a hand up to someone who has fallen down, a hug for a broken heart.  It is the generosity of the world uniting together because one little girl, Rachel, who wanted to offer the gift of water to those who were thirsty http://youtu.be/UFgWDO_HnCM  Or a young man, Aaron Collins, who upon his death, had a wish to give a large tip to a waiter or waitress. http://youtu.be/jP-TOI1mO0A

From small beginnings, the world responds in kind. The outcome mirrors the largeness of the heart that set it in motion. Such generosity goes far beyond the monetary value of the deed.  It is the generosity of the heart and the spirit.  It is a gift that keeps giving. Kindness is the harmony of souls. It brings us all closer together, to knowing the truth that we are one.  Bob Marley sang his gift to all of us, “One love, one heart, let’s get together and feel all right.”