One of the things I’ve taken note of during my time as Mayor, is how much human kindness exists in this town.
Kindness includes being thoughtful, being considerate of feelings and showing genuine respect for others. It’s the quality of being gentle, caring and helpful, and I’ve witnessed it in bucketloads.
Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple which will have an impact on someone’s life, however small.
Promoting kindness develops empathy and understanding between individuals, leading to deeper relationships. As relationships develop, trust develops and ultimately brings us all closer together.
Why am I choosing to focus on this now? It’s because it’s become so important to remember, in the midst of the turmoil that exists in the world, that we don’t need to resort to anger, criticism or hateful words.
There is another way, but we have to decide to make that choice and to focus our thoughts on others.
We see a lot on social media from those who choose to find fault, to relieve their frustration with life, or feel hard done by, but it’s up to us to remember that only kindness is the way forward.
It’s impossible to note the number of times I’ve seen kindness in action, not only as Mayor, but in other areas of my life. The lesson is always there. If we think of those less fortunate and do or say one kind thing, it can make so much difference.
Recently, I’ve seen kindness in the form of donations to Fair Frome at the Dissenters’ Cemetery Harvest Festival celebration and Frome Lions hosting a children’s bike race bringing smiles to their faces. I’ve watched the thousands of people who took such joy in the Frome Carnival hosted by the Carnival Committee and I’ve seen it in countless small acts from other volunteer groups who focus on giving their time and energy to others less fortunate.
There will always be someone worse off and we know that, in this town, we have our fair share of those struggling to pay rent or a mortgage or even struggling to find somewhere to live. There are those who go hungry in order to feed their children, can’t afford school uniforms, don’t have enough money to pay the bills, and generally find it difficult to keep their heads above water.
We need to remember those who are in the midst of a family crisis, or mental illness, suicidal thoughts or being bullied. In all those cases, we need to be kind and considerate, to understand and support.
You don’t need to be a volunteer to offer kindness. Just a quiet check on a neighbour, offering a listening ear for a friend, giving your children an extra hug, maybe just choosing to smile and say good morning when you’re out and about. Kindness matters, and every little helps.
Deciding to be kind is a choice, and I can’t think of a better one. If you do one thing every day to be kind, it sends a message to others that there is hope, that we are a community and that we all matter.
What will you do today to be kind?
Anita Collier
Pictured: Anita with James and Gina Parsons and Fair Frome’s Lenka Grimes at the Dissenters’ Cemetery Harvest Festival event
