By Henrylito D. Tacio
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” — Henry James
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More than two decades ago in Bozeman, I visited my sister Elena and her family, who resided in Livingston, Montana. I still recall the experience vividly.
I was en route back to the Philippines. My sister accompanied me to the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and after we exchanged our farewells, I entered the terminal. The line was relatively short; unlike those I had encountered in the Philippines. There were approximately twelve individuals waiting in line, myself included.
To my astonishment, the man standing in front of me was none other than Hollywood actor Dennis Quaid (the same individual known for his roles in films such as Breaking Away, The Right Stuff, The Parent Trap, The Day After Tomorrow, and Far from Heaven). He was dressed in a jacket and carried no belongings.
In front of him stood a plump woman struggling with numerous bags and luggage. Noticing her difficulty, Quaid inquired, “May I assist you with some of your bags?” The woman glanced at him and, without hesitation, handed over at least two bags to Quaid. He hoisted them onto his shoulder, and everything proceeded smoothly.
We were in the waiting area, and I found myself pondering. “Do you know her?” I inquired. “No,” he answered. “But she needs assistance!”
Quaid may possess wealth and fame, yet he remains a human being. He is acutely aware of when someone needs help. “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness,” Seneca once remarked.
To this day, I have not been able to forget Quaid’s actions. “A random act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a tremendous impact on someone’s life,” Roy T. Bennett stated in The Light in the Heart.
While I was researching ways to assist others online, I stumbled upon these lovely words. I am unsure of the author, but I feel compelled to share them here:
“The world we live in today has been through a lot of things from world wars to epidemics, but one thing which remained constant throughout was resilience and kindness. Moreover, it was the spirit to fight back and help each other out.”
The unknown author considered kindness “an essential and universal quality to make the world a better place.”
“Through an essay on kindness, we will go through it in detail. Kindness towards nature, animals and other people has the ability to transform the world and make it a beautiful place for living. But it is also important to remember that kindness towards you is also essential for personal growth.”
Kindness in the form of assistance is equally important. Regardless of the size of your contribution, simply offer your help. Do not cease your efforts. Heed the words of Mohamed Al-Fayed, “I will persist in distributing blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and food regularly, with the hope that my humble contributions will provide some solace to those we can assist.”
I was reminded of the biblical parable of the good Samaritan. It is a well-known story, often referenced by priests and pastors in their sermons. However, I particularly appreciate the interpretation provided by Martin Luther King, Jr.:
“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’”
Nobel Peace laureate Mother Teresa also reminded us: “At the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by, ‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.’”
“The purpose of life,” said American senator Robert F. Kennedy, “is to contribute in some way to making things better.”
There is a story about a father who took his two daughters to his preferred upscale restaurant. He and his wife are frequent patrons and he is aware that it is expensive, but he believes it is well worth the cost.
On this occasion, he was accompanied by his two daughters as his wife was attending a meeting. At the table next to them, a woman in her 40s was celebrating an occasion with two gentlemen in their 60s.
“We did not engage in conversation and only occasionally noticed them glancing our way,” the father remarked. As the father and his daughters awaited their dessert, the group at the adjacent table departed.
When the waiter delivered their dessert, he informed the father that the bill for the adjacent table had already been settled. “I have never encountered anything like this before, so I am truly appreciating this kind gesture and already contemplating how I can extend kindness to someone else,” the father expressed. “It was also meaningful for my children to observe this event and understand how a simple act can have a significant impact.”
In the Bible, kindness is characterized as a proactive, sacrificial, and intentional act that is grounded in the nature of God, rather than simply being a form of politeness. It is described as a “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22) that is mandated for Christians, emphasizing compassion, mercy, and the importance of loving both neighbors and adversaries, even those who are ungrateful.
The Scriptures are replete with passages regarding kindness. Ephesians 4:32 states: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Colossians 3:12 articulates: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Luke 6:35 encourages: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”
Finally, here’s what Matthew 25:34-36 said: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’”—###
