I’m sure that you, like me, were horrified to hear of a recent court case in which grandparents were found guilty of the death of their grandson through ‘casual cruelty’. Any violence to anyone as a one-off crime of anger or passion is bad enough, but the idea of it being casual or habitual towards one child who should be able to trust these adults more than anyone is more than abhorrent.
I made a determined decision not to focus on the negative but to turn this story around and focus on ‘Whatsoever things are…. true…. noble…right…. pure…lovely’ the guidance of Philippians 4:8 given to help us maintain a sound and peaceful mind amidst distraction and negativity.
So, what would the opposite be to ‘casual cruelty’? What should we be promoting instead? Concerned compassion? Constant kindness? Let’s go with the latter – even young children understand and recognise what it means to be kind. Through reading the gospels we see Jesus exhibiting kindness and it is identified as a fruit of the Spirit.
Even in secular circles, kindness is described as a quiet and profound force – grand gestures and momentous acts of charity may command headlines but it’s the ongoing, everyday practice of kindness – the small consistent moments of compassion that most gently and powerfully shape our world. It’s the bedrock upon which trust, empathy and community are built.
Even modest acts of kindness – a smile to a stranger, a door held open, a word of encouragement – have the potential to create ripples that extend far beyond the original act. These gestures accumulate building a culture of goodwill. Kindness is contagious: studies in psychology show that witnessing or receiving kindness inspires people to imitate the action – fostering a chain reaction that benefits communities.
The ripple effect of constant kindness isn’t just emotional. It signals to others that empathy and understanding are valued and creates environments where people feel supported and safe – fertile grounds for collaboration, creativity and honest communication.
Kindness cements relationships and nurtures trust. It is a predictor of long-term happiness and stability in a relationship. Research shows couples who express appreciation and tend to each other’s needs with small regular acts of kindness are more resilient in times of conflict.
Engaging in kind acts triggers the release of neurotransmitters which elevate mood and promote feelings of connection and trust – not just for the recipients but for those who do it and even those who witness it. Allegedly, regular acts of kindness reduce stress levels and blood pressure and supports immune function.
So, let’s lead the way today. Constant kindness counteracts the cynicism and apathy that can so easily be the reaction to injustice – such as the initial news report considered at the beginning of this piece. Cultivating constant kindness requires a conscious commitment. It’s easy to overlook opportunities when we are rushed, stressed or pre-occupied with our own struggles. We need to pray asking to slow down, pay attention and be shown the needs of others.
So, it starts today and it starts with us. We have no excuse – smile at the stranger, make way for others, say something nice …… Let’s be kind constantly.