Chain of kindness
Published in Springfield republican 2018
Carrie Writes
Chain of Kindness
Carrie Barrepski
One of my favorite quotes is from the Dalai Lama is, “When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.” Research has proven that kindness can increase happiness and peace. More importantly, it improves interpersonal relationships and building strong support systems.
One amazing situation is a story that started on social media about how a 15-year-old girl, Clara Daly, helped a deaf and blind individual, Tim Cook, on a plane flight. It was observed that the flight attendants were having difficulty communicating with him, despite their best efforts.
Eventually they asked if any passengers knew American Sign Language. Clara responded since she had taken sign language classes for approximately a year. She had chosen ASL because it is an easier language for dyslexic individuals to learn. She immediately volunteered to communicate with him by signing into his hand to ensure that his needs were met. A fellow passenger gave up his seat to assist Tim and Clara.
Later on, Tim asked for Clara merely to keep him company, and they talked for half an hour to an hour. Clara said she blushed when the passenger asked if she was beautiful, and another passenger answered the question yes. Clara felt she was meant to there to help because her original flight had been cancelled, while Tim said it was the best flight he had ever had.
Kindness really does have an addictive effect. It doesn’t matter in what shape or form it comes in, but it is rather the thought that counts. The Dalai Lama has also said that “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”