What is kindness?

Question

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5658759

or

search for "This I believe" at
http://www.npr.org

Answer 1

doing or saying things out of concern for others

Answer 2

21, 2006 · I believe in kindness.

But it's hard to be kind. We're not trained for it. Kindness is for sissies; we learn that early. "Nice guys finish last." If they even get invited to the race. Kindness is taken for weakness, rube-ishness, stupidity. No one seems to respect the kind. They respect the killer. We're taught to value competitiveness, strength, cunning, Darwin.

I work in the entertainment business, where kindness just never seems to be "in." It's not macho. It doesn't sell tickets. In the movies, the hero never kills the bad guy with kindness. But I believe Economics 101 is right. The value of a thing is determined by its scarcity. Which makes kindness spiritual gold.

I am writing these words a few weeks after my father's death. He was a fervent Republican. He preached an eye for an eye. He was a hawk. But he practiced kindness to everyone, including people he didn't know and people he knew too well. My father wanted to be an actor. He traded his dream for solid middle-class security, a beautiful wife and a son.

For my father, being kind was natural. He had a gift for it. I have to really work at it. I love competing and winning, conquest -- not words you usually associate with kindness.

As I became successful -- famous, even -- my father wasn't jealous. He basked in it. He and my mom came with me everywhere I toured. I'd always stop and introduce him to the audience, and he'd stand and bow. Afterwards, he'd sign autographs. I knew he loved getting the attention.

Only recently did I understand that he loved giving attention as well. He loved the chance to be kind to the thousands of people who came up to him. He drew strength and vitality from that chance to be nice. The chance to learn that gift was, more than anything, his legacy to me. He showed me that kindness doesn't have to be dramatic. It can be very small. It's something that's not expected and that's offered absolutely gratis, no strings -- like an act of friendship. Now, the memories that hold the most peace for me are of kindness, of my dad offering it to strangers.

With my dad's passing, I've resolved to make life more about those moments. My dad taught me that what you do counts. For me, that has to be about being kind, despite the odds. I believe in kindness, plain and simple

Answer 3

Kindess is doing something for someone else because you know it will make them happy rather than doing something for yourself. It is a selfless act in which you do not expect to receive some sort of reward. It can be as simple as opening a door for an elderly perosn.

Answer 4

Kindness is selflessness,love ,compassion,care and concern about each and everything in the world.Kindness is an inner compulsion , a state of heart and mind .Kindness is a positive force,a way of expression of inner self.A genuine gesture ,devoid of ego.Kindness has no definations .It has lots of meanings

Answer 5

kindness??? w8 let me think?? kindness---->is the act or the state of charitable behaviour to other people. It is considered to be one of the Knightly Virtues, and is a recognized value in many cultures and religions (see ethics in religion). It is considered to be one of the seven virtues, specifically the one of the Seven Contrary Virtues (direct opposites of the seven deadly sins) that is the direct opposite to envy[1].

According to book two of Aristotle's Rhetoric it is one of the emotions (see list of emotions), which is defined as being "helpfulness towards some one in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped"[2].

Paul defines love as being `patient and kind...` (I Corinthians)

One of the four caryatids on the Wallace fountains in Paris represents kindness.

Answer 6

kind‧ness  /ˈkaɪndnɪs/ Pronunciation Key - [kahynd-nis]

-noun 1. the state or quality of being kind: kindness to animals.
2. a kind act; favor: his many kindnesses to me.
3. kind behavior: I will never forget your kindness.
4. friendly feeling; liking.

[Origin: 1250–1300; ME kindenes. See kind1, -ness]

-Synonyms 1, 3. benignity, benevolence, humanity, generosity, charity, sympathy, compassion, tenderness. 2. good turn.
-Antonyms 1. malevolence. 3. cruelty.

Answer 7

i believe kindness is either actions or words directed to or for a person or other living creatures that helps them in some way or makes the feel good. although certain people don't seem to be capable of feeling good or appreciate kindness. in that case if the intent to help or make feel good is there then it is still kindness non the less..........

Answer 8

K, well it is just being polite and wanting to do it, it's careing for other peoples problems, if its big or if helping a person open a door, It's how you saythings, a kinda understanding of people and how they want to be treated.

Answer 9

Kindness is being kind to others and respect others too.Also treat all the people you know nicely.The last thing is to treat people the same way you want them to treat you.

Answer 10

One quote says; "Love in return for love is natural, but love in return for hate is supernatural". I do believe that "Kindness" is exactly just like this, doing things for someone "inspite of"...

Answer 11

Being aware of others feelings and acting appropriately!