Day 102: Incredible Kindness
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Plato
Today I met a beautiful woman named Gail. She came to see me for a massage. We ended up talking through parts of the session and she shared with me the most beautiful and kind act she practices everyday. Which is loving kindness for all! She shared a story about a couple she met at an airport. I will try to relay the story…This was like any other large airport, it was cold, fast, and filled with indifferent and unpleasant people. The couple was there to pick up their deceased son. Gail said it made her stop and think about all the people in the airport and how everyone was bustling along, indifferent, as this poor couple was in midst of the worst day of their lives.
Ever since that day, Gail goes out of her way to be kind, but not only for herself but kind on the behalf of others. For example, if she witnesses a customer being rude to a clerk, she apologizes to the clerk on their behalf. She explains to the clerk, that the rude customer must be carrying some horrible burden that they do not know how to process and they have unfortunately taken out on them. The amazing thing is that Gail can see through the rudeness and see the pain. She does not excuse the bad behavior, but understands where it comes from.
The couple at the airport who were receiving their deceased son, were not being rude, but she observed the cold indifference of others towards the couple. She saw the big picture and wished that the world could be softer and kinder, for you never know what others are going through. The miracle is that she saw the whole picture, both sides. She didn’t find fault, instead compassion for all parties, the grieving couple, the cold, unkind strangers in the airport, the rude person in the store. She had compassion, understanding and loving kindness for all.
She inspired me and touched me deeply with her story. 
With Love and Kindness,
Jennifer Palazzo
Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Warisara Niemwongse
4 Acts of Kindness 