A Call to Action: Express Goodwill Freely
In a world often marked by adversity, the simple act of kindness stands out as a beacon of hope and resilience. This is exemplified in the diary of Anne Frank, who, amid her hiding from the Nazis, expressed belief in the inherent goodness of people [1][2][3].
Kindness, according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha, is not just an act but a spiritual principle essential for unity and peace. It cultivates harmony among individuals and communities, reflecting divine attributes and advancing personal and social transformation [4].
Tony Fahkry, a proponent of happiness and positive living, aligns with this view by advocating kindness as a simple key to inner joy and fulfillment. Choosing kindness creates happiness regardless of external circumstances, contributing to mental and emotional well-being [5].
Kindness provides hope and emotional resilience, fosters unity and spiritual growth, and enhances joy and happiness independent of situations. It is a force that nurtures empathy, strengthens social bonds, and enriches inner life.
Kind acts, such as holding doors open, Meals-on-Wheels delivery, and paying for others' coffee, are frequently encountered in our daily lives. They serve as symbols of respect to anyone who receives them, and they bless both the giver and the receiver.
Extending kindness requires courage, love, concern, and a willingness to sacrifice. It broadens one's life's frame of reference and serves as a symbol of respect to anyone who receives it. Kindness, when given, saves lives [6].
Desmond Tutu once said, "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world" [7]. Abdu'l-Baha encouraged people to always think of rendering service to every member of the human race [4].
The fear of rejection should not prevent acts of kindness, as it can lead to personal growth and inner character development. This was demonstrated by Anne Frank's father's office employees who secretly helped the Frank family during their hiding, despite the risk of death [1].
Barbara De Angelis wrote that love and kindness are never wasted and always make a difference [8]. If one wants to live a long and happy life, they should be kind [9]. Baha'u'llah exhorted people to focus on rehabilitating mankind and sanctifying hearts and souls [4].
In conclusion, kindness, as illustrated in Anne Frank's diary and supported by the teachings of Baha'u'llah, Abdu'l-Baha, and Tony Fahkry, brings profound benefits such as fostering hope, resilience, happiness, and a deeper sense of shared humanity. It is a force that benefits both the giver and receiver by nurturing empathy, strengthening social bonds, and enriching inner life.
References: [1] Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl [2] Müller, Mirjam, and Marion Bloem, eds. Anne Frank's Diary: The Anne Frank House Authorised Edition. 2001. [3] Otten, Herman, and Anne Frank. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. 1991. [4] Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha. 1982. [5] Fahkry, Tony. The Happiness Formula. 2012. [6] Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace. 1982. [7] Tutu, Desmond. No Future Without Forgiveness. 1999. [8] De Angelis, Barbara. Real Moments. 1995. [9] Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace. 1982.
Kindness, in promoting personal growth and inner character development, transcends beyond acts of kindness and extends to relationships, as demonstrated by Anne Frank's father's office employees who bravely helped the Frank family during their hiding [1]. Furthermore, nurturing such a lifestyle rooted in kindness contributes to education-and-self-development, advancing one's ability to live a long and happy life [8][9].
