It Doesn't Take Much Effort To Be Kind

I usually don’t have much patience for people who ring my doorbell that aren’t my friends or family members. I don’t care for the interruption and having to stand there for small talk when I know I will say “no.”

I used to interrupt and say “no” as quickly as possible so that I could get back to whatever important thing I felt I was doing.

I decided to do it differently, recently.

I saw them coming. I sighed when they walked up my walk. But I was ready to be kind. I knew it wouldn’t take much effort on my part, and it didn’t. I even felt better about myself when I closed the door – even though I STILL said, “no thank you.”

I gave the same answer, with a kinder heart and voice.

I tell my girls the same thing often. We can say the exact same words to someone, but they mean something totally different by the tone we use. It shows our heart and it affects theirs in return.

I’m not sure why we get so abrasive with others. Annoyance, maybe? Busyness? But everyone has feelings. Even the guys who come and ring your doorbell.

It doesn’t take much effort to be kind.

It doesn’t take much effort to smile, or shake a hand.  It often takes more energy to be grumpy and complain. And you don’t feel better about yourself afterwards.

So make the effort.  Be kind to those you speak to today.