Are You Kind?

Would anyone say you are a kind person? What does it mean to be kind? One dictionary definition of "kindness" is: "Noun: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate." Is that it?

So can you be kind sometimes? Does that make you a kind person?

Other qualities the dictionary included were: affection, warmth, gentleness, concern, care, consideration, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, unselfishness, selflessness, altruism, compassion, sympathy, understanding, big-heartedness, benevolence, benignity, friendliness, hospitality, neighborliness, generosity, magnanimity, and charitableness!

WHEW! That's a tall order if you have to be all of that to be kind!

I'd say I'm lots of those things some of the time. Does that make me a kind person? I'd like to think so. But isn't kindness more than something we do? Isn't it something we feel, or something that is part of who we are?

A person could commit acts of kindness for other reasons than because they are just caring or loving. You see people do it to get recognition or to get something in return. Is that still kindness? Is that person a kind person? Or are they simply manipulative or selfish? Wouldn't motive play a role in determining who is kind?

I'm doing some reading about kindness, so it will probably show up in future posts. And I'd really like to know what you think about kindness. What does it mean to you? Give me some direction in the comments below.