Kindness Benefits Everyone
"Be Kind"
by Michael Blumenthal Not merely because Henry James said there were but four rules of life-- be kind be kind be kind be kind-- but because it's good for the soul, and, what's more, for others; it may be that kindness is our best audition for a worthier world, and, despite the vagueness and uncertainty of its recompense, a bird may yet wander into a bush before our very houses, gratitude may not manifest itself in deeds entirely equal to our own, still there's weather arriving from every direction, the feasts of famine and feasts of plenty may yet prove to be one, so why not allow the little sacrificial squinches and squigulas to prevail? Why not inundate the particular world with minute particulars? Dust's certainly all our fate, so why not make it the happiest possible dust, a detritus of blessedness? Surely the hedgehog, furling and unfurling into its spiked little ball, knows something that, with gentle touch and unthreatening tone, can inure to our benefit, surely the wicked witches of our childhood have died and, from where they are buried, a great kindness has eclipsed their misdeeds. Yes, of course, in the end so much comes down to privilege and its various penumbras, but too much of our unruly animus has already been wasted on reprisals, too much of the unblessed air is filled with smoke from undignified fires. Oh friends, take whatever kindness you can find and be profligate in its expenditure: It will not drain your limited resources, I assure you, it will not leave you vulnerable and unfurled, with only your sweet little claws to defend yourselves, and your wet little noses, and your eyes to the ground, and your little feet. |
Michael Blumenthal, the author of the poem "Be Kind," pointed out that kindness is "good for the soul, and, / what's more, for others; it may be / that kindness is our best audition / for a worthier world." Instead of criticizing others, they should be treated with kindness, and showing others care and respect can take people so far in life. Essentially, the advice from Nick Carraway's father telling Nick that "'whenever you feel like criticizing anyone... just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had'" is telling him that whenever he is about to criticize someone he should stop and think about it first. Nick should think before he speaks, because, as Blumenthal states, kindness "will not drain your limited resources." It isn't hard to criticize others, but it isn't hard to be kind, either. Kindness benefits everyone, so why not be polite to others?
Blumenthal also says that "in the end so much comes down to privilege." Since privilege is such a large factor in life, it is unfair to criticize someone with a disadvantage if they were just born with it. People with physical and mental disabilities are often born with them, and I had my allergies as a baby as well. |