Kindness

"Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom."  - Theodore Isaac Rubin

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."   - Leo Buscaglia

The three most important things to remember in any situation: to be kind, be kind, and always to be kind. "Treat others how you want to be treated." The simple kindergarten lesson of respect. I have found throughout the years that these simple grade school-level lessons are some of the most wise in following. What I've noticed in a wide variety of instances is that there are some people out there who 'get it.' They are always pleasant from the get-go, always ready to stop and talk--even if class starts in 5 minutes, they truly want to know about you and how you are doing, and ultimately, they always make you feel good after you run in to them. These are KIND people. 

I have a mental list in my head of people in my life who 'lift me up' so to say...and whenever I am with them, I feel good. We mutually lift one-another up, and bring out the positive qualities in one another. There are always going to be people who bring you down in your life. Bad influences, negative, jealous, judgmental, vain, aggressive persons. Or, in other words, people that you can't connect with on what's really important out of life. But as my fav. quote goes: these people are "vexations to the spirit."

If you sat down and thought of all the people who are close to you in your life, and tried counting the people who make you feel like you are a good person. People who make you want to be a better person. People who lift you up. And separated them from the people who give you meaningless banter. People who are constantly bringing you down with negativity. People who have nothing better to talk to you about than other people. You might actually find something out about yourself.

Surround yourself with people who make you shine, people who talk to you about things that you find legitimately important, people who can connect with you on a mental level, and who give you positive reinforcement [and constructive criticism] about the person that you are. These are people who will lift you up, and in doing so, it will become mutual. And maybe, take a step back and look at yourself and ask how you treat the people you first meet, the people you know the names of--but not personally, the people who are closest to you and know you best. Be Kind.