Kindness is Good For You

This is my second month as a regular subscriber of Reader's Digest. Thanks to this credit card promo that if you subscribe, you get a free bag. Naturally, I subscribed... firstly, because I'm a sucker for freebies and secondly, because I like reading the Reader's Digest. I used to read it all the time but I quit for a couple of years and I must say the style has changed! There aren't as many jokes and too many short articles.

I read an article entitled "Kindness is Good For You" last night. I don't quite remember the nitty-gritty but generally, the title speaks for itself. After reading it, I wondered why it was necessary at all. Do people need to know what they can benefit before doing something humane or should I say, kind?

If a beggar knocked on your car window asking for some coins, why not give some when your ashtray is full of it and you won't miss it? I've heard many people say they do not give money because it is a gangster's modus operandi or they just use the money to buy rugby to sniff and get high. As far as I'm concerned, if they are, then too bad... but what about the small chance that they're not??? What if this poor person really is a beggar who is asking for so little? What if he really will use the few pesos that he gets to buy a piece of bread that will ease his rumbling stomach? What if the child who flits between cars uses the money for his school needs? What if the coins that I just drop into the ashtray and forget could truly help someone else?

Do we really need to be labeled in order to do something that should not be hard to do? Do we really need to be motivated by what we can get in return to do a simple deed?

I've never thought of myself as a kind person and I'm sure none of family and friends think I am. They all think I'm a heartless person and I wouldn't disagree. But tell me, do we need to be TOLD that kindness is good for us?