In honor of my daughter’s 15th birthday, I would like to repost an essay she wrote last year about kindness. Keri is one of the kindest people I know, and I am so grateful she is my daughter.
“Kindness is like a spark from a match that creates a forest fire. The forest is a forest of anger, selfishness, and cruelty. Kindness can burn through all of those things.” -Keri Cuthriell
Kindness by Keri Cuthriell
One thing people today overlook far too much is the simple yet effective act of kindness. In this cold new world overtaken by selfishness and greed is a desperate need for those little acts of care. Just a helping hand or a quick show of compassion can turn another person’s day completely around.
Sometimes even a friendly smile can save a life. People often forget others and become very engrossed in their own problems. This leads to a negative downward spiral and a chain reaction of selfishness. A generation of selfish people is the last thing we need today. Imagine if everybody was willing to be kind and compassionate to each other. If it was not forced, but a habit. This would change the world.
Everyone has experienced difficult times at one time or another when things were not going well and needed an act of kindness to brighten up their day. If it wasn’t for that one person, that one act of kindness, they might not have the life they have today. Remember how effective just the smallest act of kindness can be. Know that you can do this for others. In the long run, you may not be just helping one person but multiple people. Kindness is like the spark from a match that creates a forest fire. The forest is a forest of anger, selfishness, and cruelty. Kindness can burn through all of those things.
It’s very important for people to remember that anger is powerful. So is selfishness along with cruelty. However, kindness overpowers all. You may think your kindness makes a difference for other people only, but it doesn’t. What comes around goes around, and your act will be returned. Your most important reward is knowing how much you just helped someone in need. You feel satisfaction knowing that you might have saved someone’s day, week, or even life. What you have really been given is the most precious gift you can receive, the gift of kindness. Everyone is capable of being kind. Everyone can help. The real question is, why don’t we? This should not be a question. Kindness should come automatically. It should be common rather than a rarity. We can make this happen and do something kind today.
“No matter how small, an act of kindness never goes unnoticed.”
Keri, I love who you are. You make the world a better place. Happy Birthday!
Kristin, you’re so lucky to have a daughter like Keri. I’m sure the way you’ve raised her had something to do with it. Hope she has a very happy birthday.
Thank you!
Kristin, What an amazing daughter Keri is — from an amazing mother. Love to all of you
Thank you! Love to all of you! I hope to see you soon! Happy late birthday.
A chip off the old block, it seems. Keri is so right. Kindness is such an easy thing to do, so deceivingly powerful. A smile or an unexpected kind gesture can move mountains. Happy Birthday! (I always say that birthdays are for the mommas, so that one is for you, too, Kristin.)
Thank you! Birthdays are very special for mommas, I agree. Thank you, Shannon. I hope you and your family are doing well. Always great to hear from you!
Keri, You’re a wise and beautiful writer. Happy Belated Birthday! Two weeks ago I stopped in Starbucks on the way to class. I was running too late to make coffee and really did not have time to stop either .. but I rushed in, stressed about getting out quickly.
Imagine my surprise when the woman in front of me bought my coffee! She said it was pay it forward day.
Her act of kindness shifted my whole energy. Suddenly, I was no longer in a rush. We chatted while we were fixing our coffees with crream. ..
I relaxed the whole rest of the drive … being late was not worth stressing.
And you are right … the path to world peace is through the inner peace of each one of us.
Thanks for sharing sich a wonderful message! We need these reminders daily.
This is wonderful, Cindy. Thank you for the kind words and for sharing your Starbucks experience. Miss you and hope to see you soon!
She is remarkable, and I suspect she learned it from someone near to her heart …
Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙂
This is great blessing. Happy birthday 🙂
Thank you! Have a great weekend!
Beautiful!! You have an amazing daughter – no surprise – apple/tree! 🙂
Thank you, Karen! Have a super weekend!
superb what a daughter
Thank you!
keri , is correct ””,,,,,be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle right?…
You are so lucky that you have a daughter like keri 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much, Kimberly. I feel very blessed. Have a great day!
You too!
indeed???
Your so lucky to have a child like that
You are so lucky to have a such a daughter!
We really need daily reminders on being kind to others. Imagine a world in which everyone was kind without being forced to, how wonderful that would be!
That would be wonderful!
keri is a very good writer.
Thank you!
Keri love you for your writing. It’s very useful to me in school.I gave a speech regarding your kindness. because of that I was selected to English club in my school.
I am so glad you liked it! Thank you for your kind words.
it is very nice
i amliking this essay
i love if i would have such daughter
Thank you
nice…..
thank you!
Its wonderful how children are turning out to be such kind people even in these hard times. Hats off to the mom for bringing her up like this.
Its really good to see that children are really kind even in this current selfishly busy world. Kristin, you should be a proud mom. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
thank you, i greatly appreciate this article
Keri is not only a very amazing writer but also a wise and dashing girl
Thank you so much for your kind remarks! I will share them with Keri.
Indeed ?