Have you ever been in line behind someone who used the wrong approach to resolve the situation?  Painful, right?  I find myself thinking, “Just be nice.” 

We watch people interact every day, noticing the way issues are resolved and forming opinions on what we would do in that situation.  It is fairly easy to evaluate the situation, but much more difficult to do the right thing when a problem arises spontaneously.    

All things considered, being nice is usually the least stressful alternative.  It is something that one would think would come easily, but often it takes great patience and prayer. 

Having someone show kindness when in a difficult situation is often a pleasant surprise.  It is something that one has to make an effort to accomplish and to stay in control. 

When I am tired, it is most difficult for me to be kind to my family.  I know I have their unconditional love and therefore I know they will forgive me for my shortcomings.  However, that does not make it acceptable.  When I am exhausted, I pray that I will be kind to those closest to me, that I will have patience, and that I soon will get my second wind! 

When I meet someone that I believe is successful in life, normally it is a person who is nice to those around them.  When I am with a top executive and they acknowledge various employees around the building, my respect for the executive grows quickly.  When they treat their administrative assistant, maintenance people, and managers equally, I know it is a place where I would want to be employed.    

I am always open to friendships, but I only seek out friendship when I see kindness in how they treat people.  I seek out friends who treat people they don’t know as well as people they would like to know.  I want to be around people who are nice to those around them and who welcome people who show kindness into their circle of friends. 

Some of the toughest coaches and teachers I know are also able to show kindness.  Pushing people to their full potential and being nice are not mutually exclusive.  Being driven to succeed and understanding the needs of your team or class is a wonderful combination. 

I love to look around and capture people doing nice things for others.  Watching someone teach a child to hold open a door for the person behind them.  Allowing someone to move ahead of you in line because you can tell they are under a time constraint.  Making eye contact and sharing a smile with someone walking by.  Giving a genuine compliment to someone.  Offering an act of kindness goes a long way to make someone’s day.

I pray daily for opportunities to spread kindness and bless others.

Click here to stay connected.