The Power of Kindness

“My religion is kindness”

The Dalai Lama

Today I slept in, breakfast was hand delivered to my door, and the laundry was clean and folded. 

A stranger groomed my dog, I had Thanksgiving dinner with my kids at their school, and the orthopedist treated my daughter like family.    

Never underestimate the power of kindness. 

To receive kindness does us good.  My cohort agreed to take care of classes this morning, and I was able to get some needed rest.   A new friend stopped by with homemade pumpkin muffins, and I received a pleasant respite from my usual peanut butter toast on wheat.   The groomer not only promised to be gentle and patient with my shaggy Rasta pup, but took the time to carefully explain how I should brush and care for her when we returned home.  Even the orthopedist  assured me I did “the right thing” by waiting a day, washing away my pangs of mom guilt.

In his book The Power of Kindness, Piero Ferrucci states that “The true benefit of kindness is being kind.  Perhaps more than any other factor, kindness gives meaning and value to our life, raises us above our troubles and our battles, and makes us feel good about ourselves.”

Kind people surround us every day making our lives happier, meaningful and more peaceful.   I’m grateful that today I was especially blessed, and took the time to notice.