Monday, 5 May 2025
Our teachers and schoolmates had shared with us many stories and experiences about kindness and love. Which one do you like the most? Do you remember those bible stories about “love is kind”? I really like the sharing of 6M students that reminds me of the importance of “active listening”. It was also very warm to hear 6P students sharing how they experienced kindness and love from their classmates and teachers. Each of them is a message that spreads kindness. And, I am much thankful to be here sharing with you my thoughts and feelings on “love is kind”,.
Sometimes, I think it’s really not very easy for us to remember to be kind and to show kindness in our actions. This is especially difficult during tough times, isn’t it?
I searched on the internet regarding the difficulties in showing kindness. Lots of the reasons are about management of emotions and time.
Sometimes, we do not choose to kindness because we are driven by some negative emotions, like feeling upset or angry. We think that people would not understand our kindness, we think that others are wrong and they do not deserve our kind words or actions. Thus, we choose to ignore or neglect what other people think and feel. We then turn to become mean or rude. Unfortunately, treating people in this way is likely a punishment on both sides. If we appear to be unkind, it’s hard to expect genuine communications and cooperations. This often worsens situations and creates even more and bigger problems. There is a Chinese saying that tells the wisdom of kindness. It says we ought to be kind even to the people who had done bad things on us. It is of course important to distinguish between rights and wrongs. Yet, it can be done with care and compassion. Things and people grow in care and love but not in indifference and hatred.
Sometimes, we do not “choose” to be unkind. We are simply not aware of how “unkind” we actually are. Perhaps we are too busy to allow time to observe and understand the people around us. Therefore, we forget to consider others’ opinions and to take care of them. Yet, do not forget that time flies and life is full of uncertainty. No matter how busy you are, always have a look on the people around you and do not let them down for too long.
Well, too much about the tough times! Is it easier for us to spread kindness when we are at good times? My answer is “Maybe not!” Now suppose if we are at better conditions, it is more likely for us to have enough time, efforts or resources to show kindness. We might even be in some positions that possess the power to make a significant change on the others. But then, what hinders us from showing kindness?
The reason can be simple. When you are the lucky ones, you just easily forget that some other people are suffering. We easily underestimate the difficulties that others would have. We easily judge people only by what we see or what we know. In extreme cases, some might draw hasty conclusions thinking that people should suffer because they are not good enough. However, I really want to say that this is a bias.
Do you still remember the sharing that Mr. Kwan did some time ago? It is very inspiring to describe our world as a group of 100 people. It does not just remind me about how much I already have. It also tells us not to forget that many people are still suffering from various misfortunes like wars and famines. Many of them are innocent and all human beings should live with dignity.
For us to be the luckier ones, let’s try to help and show our supports to others. This can be done by serving the community, showing our care and kindness to our friends and schoolmates, family and teachers, showing a smiley face or offering a helping hand to a stranger in the street. It will, perhaps, make a good day for some one and for your own as well.
Dear Shungtakians, do not hesitate. Spread kindness no matter whether you are at good or bad times. If you had ever thought or felt that the world has not been kind enough, do not lose hope. Be the change you want to see in this world. Say a kind word. Take a kind action. Think through problems and people with a kind heart. Feel this world with kindness.
Remember, being kind can be a choice.
Before I end this sharing, let’s say a prayer for those who are suffering.
Ms Suen SL
24 October 2022