Why Kindness Should Not Wait
A friend once told me about a particular funeral he attended some months back of one of his neighbours. While the man was alive, he was practically broke and almost living from hand to mouth. All attempts to seek for help from friends, family, and neighbours, so as to be able to put his life together and start up something, did not yield any fruit. But sadly, when he passed, the street contributed money and chartered bus to his funeral and even spent heavily. Now the question is, why did they not give him the money to help him while he was alive? The kindness you need to do for someone should be done when they can benefit directly from it. This is why I believe that kindness should not wait.
Helping people when they are alive is not just an act of charity, but it is an act of humanity. It is ironic how some people will keep grudge with the living, envy them, express jealousy towards them, but once they pass on, they will show regrets. You do not have to wait until it is too late to show kindness. The message you want to send that will put smile on the face of someone, the kinds words you can say, the little gifts you can give, all these should be done timely. The value of these small act is without question. Trust me, they may be what may restore hope and humanity to someone. A lot of people are battling secret pain, disappointments, struggles, loneliness, and all they will need may just be your little kindness.
One of my mentors once told me that I should be the reason why someone is happy. Since then, I made a resolution to show kindness to people and to put smiles on their face every single day. Everyday you live, you will have opportunities to do good and to show kindness. As much as is within your capacity, always try to show prompt kindness. It does not matter the size of what you have done, but what matters is that it is done timely and from the heart. Trust me, the little kindness you show to someone when they are alive will make more meaning to them than climbing mountains for them when they are gone.
There was a time, in the place where I lived before, that something happened. On that day, as I was leaving the house, a young kid who normally greets me ran up to me and told me "uncle there is nothing in the house and we have not eaten." Those words touched me and I asked him to follow me to the woman who sells groceries in the street. I bought some groceries and handed over to the kid for them and left. When I was coming back, the mother of the kid came to me and told me that the groceries were what sustained them for the day. You see, it was an opportunity to do good and I took it.
Sometimes, as you go about your busy schedules, you can take time to scroll through your contacts and see your long forgotten contacts, and check up on them. This is part of what humanity demands from us and we should also extend the sense of belonging and sense of value to people. People will not live eternally on earth, so value every moment you have to stay with them, and also value people. Your acts of goodness and kindness are better done in presence, not posthumously. Call your loved ones and tell them you love them, it will make them feel better. Encourage and motivate someone who is chasing their dreams. Visit someone in the hospital and wish them well, not waiting to send condolences if they pass on. Say a sincere "thank you" to someone who makes sacrifices for you. All these are part of the ways you can show kindness in the now.
One of my mentors once said that "life is very fragile, and no one can guarantee tomorrow." This is why helping people and showing kindness now, while they are still living, is not just among the greatest investments, but a fundamental demand of humanity. It also helps to build interpersonal relationships and creates memories that will be timeless. What you can do for someone is better done when they can enjoy and appreciate it. Always have in mind that the best gift you can give someone is not a tribute when they are gone, but acts of blessing when they are alive.
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