It all comes down to this.
The impact we have on others is what is important to them. It makes a difference. And it is what feeds our own souls.
As parents we try to model kindness and encourage our children to be kind to others. But the world often works against us, and at this moment in time many of our political leaders and POTUS 45 are anything but models of kindness; they often behave in ways we teach our children not to behave by name-calling and bullying.
That doesn't mean we stop! That doesn't mean we let their actions be the model for our own children and the children entrusted to our care in classrooms. No - we work harder to embrace and spread kindness because with kindness we make the world better!
Check out this article by Linda Flanagan: How Making Kindness a Priority Benefits Students. How do you help children develop a kindness habit? How do you help your students or our own children realize that we all do better when WE ALL do better?
I love this verse from Micah (6:8):
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you? But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.No matter what faith tradition you follow, who could argue with the encouragement to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly? I couldn't.
Imagine if everyone lived life that way! I'm proud of my own children for being kind and caring human beings. I'm happy indeed to think that children I've taught over the years have grown up to be kind people too.
Kindness matters.
UPDATE (1/3/17):
Here is a link to another article: 3 Ways Practicing Kindness Enhances the Learning Process. In it you will find out how engaging in acts of kindness will improve concentration, alleviate stress and encourage collaboration.
