Paying it forward doesn't have much life expectancy either.
The Jewish concept of "mitzvah" teaches the world is built upon kindness but it seems we keep destroying things.
"Kindness is my religion," says the Dalai Lama as he's in political trouble with China.
Buddha taught kindness creates good Karma though the great teacher himself may have died from food poisoning.
I believe in kindness.
It's the way I try to live.
But I'm not naïve.
Just because I'm kind doesn't mean people take it kindly.
Most of the time, I think, they go through the motions of reciprocating in kind but quickly forget about it and move on with their next need.
"The more that you take ... the less you give back," (Daryl Hall and John Oates) and that's just as true as anything Buddha, the Dalai Lama, Jesus, Rabbis or anybody else has to say about kindness.
There is a story in our house ... we try to keep a vase of fresh flowers on the table all of the time ... it makes for a more appealing house ... in the dead of winter there's the reminder of spring and they constantly celebrate summer ... it's out gift to ourselves ... a permanent reminder of colorful blooms at this stage of our lives ... reminding us of the love and happiness in our lives.
Sarah was at Publix and had flowers to bring home when the cashier gushed over their beauty.
In an impetuous random act, Sarah asked for a moment to run to the back for a forgotten item only to return with another bouquet of flowers for the woman.
"Oh My God," she exclaims, "you've made my day!"
It made Sarah's.
I doubt the cashier remembers it all ... but we do.
One of religion's biggest problems is, while it's supposed to be a group activity, we've reduced it to a singular sport.
That's the thing though, the kindness we give to others is mostly for ourselves.
Recipients take short term glee and quickly forget.
But every time we author acts of kindness we walk with the Gods.
And every time we don't ... the Gods move on without us.
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