A Simple Touch of Kindness

Everyday, all of us has an ample opportunities to choose how we will grow spiritually and emotionally. We can choose to be angry or enkindle that soft spot in our heart. We can be only thinking of ourselves or we can care compassionately about others.

When I was a kid, I remembered this young guy. He is my Mom's close officemate . He's a man of few words. His smile is contagious and he seemed very sincere. We are not rich and it's not easy to grow up in a third world country where you work hard enough just to have rice on the table. My mother will just tell him her struggles of surviving amidst the economic crisis of the family. He became our close family friend. A friend who is always willing to help without asking in return. He resigned from his work and started his own business. It was an instant success. He tried politics and won as the number 1 town councilor. He succeeded politics and became the Vice Mayor. He never raised money for his campaign but still ended up victorious in every elections. Even when I'm far from my hometown and cannot vote, my prayers are with him. He's my inspiration. His sincerity and his being so humble is very contagious. He's married now and have kids. After all the fame and fortune that started from humble beginnings, he remained the same person I knew 20 years ago. His gentleness and kindness not just to our family but to anyone was embedded in my memory.

People who embrace the nature and power of kindness will find themselves living better lives. Their words and deeds of kindness will help in one way or another the lives of others they encounter.