“It’s a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one’s life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than ‘try to be a little kinder.’”
So said the author Aldous Huxley. He sounds a little apologetic. I don’t think he need be. When he refers to “the human problem” I guess he’s thinking about how we relate to one another. I suggest that kindness is more than a good start.
Kindness comes from attention, attention to another. A smile of welcome, a simple word, a note, a touch of a hand, a gesture of generosity. All of these actions show kindness and attention. And attention is love.
Love and kindness come together frequently in the Psalms. What is referred to in the RSV as “steadfast love” is called “lovingkindness” in the Authorised Version. The Psalmist refers to God’s “lovingkindness” more than a dozen times. Jeremiah, Hosea and Isaiah too.
“…Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes.” (Psalm 26:3). “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God”. (Psalm 36:7). “I am the Lord which exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness.” (Jeremiah 9:24)
So, we could say that, through simple acts of kindness we are not only connecting with each other, but with the source of all kindness.
Chris Dawson
c“It’s a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one’s life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than ‘try to be a little kinder.’”
So said the author Aldous Huxley. He sounds a little apologetic. I don’t think he need be. When he refers to “the human problem” I guess he’s thinking about how we relate to one another. I suggest that kindness is more than a good start.
Kindness comes from attention, attention to another. A smile of welcome, a simple word, a note, a touch of a hand, a gesture of generosity. All of these actions show kindness and attention. And attention is love.
Love and kindness come together frequently in the Psalms. What is referred to in the RSV as “steadfast love” is called “lovingkindness” in the Authorised Version. The Psalmist refers to God’s “lovingkindness” more than a dozen times. Jeremiah, Hosea and Isaiah too.
“…Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes.” (Psalm 26:3). “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God”. (Psalm 36:7). “I am the Lord which exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness.” (Jeremiah 9:24)
So, we could say that, through simple acts of kindness we are not only connecting with each other, but with the source of all kindness.
Chris Dawson