Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash
Every week, Darren and myself will search for images which relate to what we are writing about, and every week we find some absolutely stunning ones taken by very talented people (you can see more of their work, each week, by clicking the link included under the image).
Well this week, not only did I find an image which I loved, and that can relate, but also one with a story behind it and that is how I want to start this blog… by sharing that story:
Matt (the photographer) met the man in the image, Michael, in a Boston subway station. Matt told him that he liked his sign. “What matters is what it means to you,” Michael told him. Matt asked what it meant to him. “Doing a deed or expressing kindness to another person without expecting anything in return,” Michael said. Matt said that he loves approaching strangers wherever he goes. Listening and talking to them teaches you about people and how similar we all are to one another. Just like Michael, we’re all seeking human kindness.
And this is a really important focus to have, especially today.
‘We’re all seeking human kindness’.
Kindness is a powerful thing, and although you may feel that I am just repeating myself from what I talked about in my last blog, there is a big reason.
This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme which the Mental Health Foundation have chosen to focus on this year is that of kindness.
It can be easy to signal kindness by posting online and following a trend, we can see that clearly from the hashtag a couple of months ago which stated #BeKind, but it can be harder to commit to kindness in our daily words and actions. We’re seeing a huge demonstration of kindness right now with people shopping for others, making regular phone calls to check in on those around them, or maybe even just showing a smile to someone when out doing your regular exercise. If we can take the time to be kind to other people, it can really make a difference and especially for people who are vulnerable or struggling.
Kindness is one of those things that not only makes the recipient feel good, but also those who are showing and spreading those acts of kindness. It is about choosing to do something that helps others as well as yourself, mixed all with warm feelings. It can often mean putting other people’s needs before your own, such as sharing a snack you may have, holding a door open and letting someone else enter through first or maybe even giving up that last item in the shop so that someone who needs it more may be able to purchase it.
There are so many ways to help others as part of everyday lives, and these good deeds don’t need to take much time or cost any money.
A smile, a listening ear, a helping hand, they can all make a difference.
Proverbs, a book in the bible says this in chapter 11, verse 17:
'A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself'.
Although we may harm someone else’s feelings and emotions by not being kind, they are not the only person we harm. We harm ourselves by not being kind to others also, because it opens up new feelings inside of us, and not the cosy, happy ones we like, but more of guilt and regret. It’s such a better feeling to be nice than mean!
‘We’re all seeking human kindness’ and it can begin with US.
-Antony.
This week’s resource…
Book: It's Kind of a Funny Story
Can be found: Amazon (Book form or Kindle)
About: It's Kind of a Funny Story is a coming-of-age novel for young adults. Loosely based on the personal experience of author Ned Vizzini, it follows the story of fifteen-year-old Craig Gilner, whose depression and decision to end his life lands him in the adult psychiatric unit of a Brooklyn hospital.
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