Ever paused to think what a random
act of kindness can do to you?
It can brighten up your day, keep you
energized and create a positive aura in your immediate circle of influence. In
fact, it can do the job better than any body freshener or deodorant that you
currently use!!! In everyday Life, you have the option of being rushed,
stressed and moving forward with blinkers on, obsessed with yourself and your
priorities. Or you can notice the innumerable opportunities that surround you
where you can make a difference. The problem with us is that we have psyched
ourselves into believing that a. an individual alone cannot make a difference;
b. we don't have time to invest just now and c. we reason within ourselves that
since Life has been unkind to me in the past, why should I be kind to anyone? A
random act of kindness is doing good or saying something good while expecting
nothing in return, not even an acknowledgment, let alone gratitude. James West
(1876~1948), the 'Godather' of the Boy Scouts movement, in 1928, called a
random act of kindness, '...the Daily
Good Turn that is instrumental in instilling a habit of service and an
attitude of mind that offsets a tendency to selfishness...' How simple. And how
relevant this philosophy is even today!
In a facebook and twitter era, when service
organizations like the Scouts are forgotten, it is our responsibility to not
only make our days meaningful but to also inculcate in our children a sense of
selfless service. We don't need to have money to be kind. We must only develop
the aptitude and attitude to be kind. Even picking up litter from the street,
knowing fully well that we are not responsible for the litter or the street, is
an act of kindness. In fact, in Islam, Prophet Muhammad, prescribed
this__picking up litter from the street__as an act of faith. So, whether you
want to do it because it concerns the faith you practice or you want to do it
to keep you energized all day long, your Daily
Good Turn awaits you. Do one each day of
the week and feel the difference in – and for – yourself!
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