A lesson on Kindness from one of Aesop’s fables

Kindness comes in many forms but always from the heart.

Aesop wrote a fable “The North Wind & the Sun”

in which the Wind and Sun had a quarrel about which of them was stronger. At last they agreed to try their powers upon a traveller, to see which could soonest strip him of his cloak. The wind had the first try, gathered up all his force for the attack, he came whirling furiously down upon the man. The sun agreed to hide behind the cloud 🌥 while the wind blew up a storm 🌬. But the harder the wind blew the more firmly the traveller wrapped his cloak around himself.

Then came the turn of the sun,🌤🌞☀️ beaming gently upon the traveller. Before long he unclasped his cloak and walked on it hanging loosely about his shoulders: then the sun shone forth in his full strength, and the man, before he had gone many steps ,was glad to throw his cloak right off and complete his journey more lightly clad.

The sun recognised the formula: warmth, compassion, kindness, neighbourliness and a gentle touch are more effective than force and fury.

 

“The way of kindness is not cosmetic. It is from the soul. It’s not performance. It’s purpose. It’s not mechanics. It’s motive. It’s not pretense. It’s candor.” – Barry H. Corey

Kindness is doing nice things for other people, being considerate, helpful and gentle. Kindness is giving up your seat for an expectant mother, a mom with kids or an elderly person in the tube/train or waiting area. Kindness is anonymously paying for someone’s bill in a coffee shop. Kindness is so much more.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15  (NIV) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

So today be a blessing to someone, compliment someone, encourage someone, be a little more intentional about being kind and good to the people you come across.

Grosses bises,

Michelle.