Be Kind...To People

A had just gone through a messy break-up. Words of encouragement were lavished as A poured out her heart to us. In the privacy of the lavatory, B commented that she had nothing to say since she "did not console people because it is useless". B went on to add that A was "too whiny about her ex" and she ought to "just get over it".

Easy for someone who had married her only boyfriend to glaze over that. This came from an avid cat lover who did not hesitate to chide cat abusers, donated readily to the SPCA for its cause and frequently nursed stray cats back to health. If one could be attuned to the needs of an animal, where's the lacking radar for humans?

It's not difficult to be kind to people.

Smile at the uncle who clears your plates, say "thank you" to the waiter who takes your orders, keep public toilets clean for the sake of the old lady who has to pick up after you, offer to help the old man with the wobbly cane across the road, hold the lift button for the mother with a zillion kids in tow....the list is endless.

And in this context, when a friend is down, don't kick him/her. Be there to listen, not to judge. Hold your friend's hand through his/her trial. Your friend will remember and appreciate you for it.

If only people were more sensitive to one another, watch the words overflowing from their lips and display less selfish traits.

After all, that's what friends are for, isn't it?