Kindness is an important quality to have

Project Awareness (A计划) started on 20 February 2013 and it is never an easy journey for me. Nevertheless, I'm glad that I still able to help as many under-privileged people as possible with the assistance and trust from my volunteers and supporters. At Project Awareness, we have three on-going projects that promote kindness, namely: Project Helping Hand, Project Animal Care and Project Go Green. Thank you everyone and let continue to be kind and spread the love around. 

Today I would like to talk about kindness and I believe many people might be wondering what is kindness and why kindness is an important quality to have.

When someone is kind, it means he or she is considerate and nice to others. Some good examples of kindness are saying please and thank you, sharing, and doing anything that helps others. When you treat other people with kindness, both people feel good! Wouldn't it be wonderful to sprinkle more of these words and actions in our home, our work, our community? 

When carrying out acts of kindness, care should be taken not to intrude or embarrass - 'discretion' is the operative word. Give you smile or whatever, and then move on, unless the receiver gives out signals that they would like to talk. If you linger, the receiver could feel an obligation to reciprocate, or perhaps become embarrassed and resent the kind act. Some kind acts may be able to be carried out anonymously. It absolves the receiver of any sense of awkwardness or indebtedness, and for the giver, it becomes an enjoyable game. Also, anonymous kindness bypasses our ego's demand for attention, and is the highest form of kindness.

As for the kind acts that we can carry out toward animals and nature are not difficult to imagine. It is in our interest to be friendly toward animals, and to ensure they are cared for, even if they are not our own. We all have a duty to ensure that animals are not mistreated or neglected, and if they are, to take appropriate steps to ensure the situation is remedied. Whether or not we acknowledge it, humanity has a strong bond with nature, and if we choose to ignore this, we do so at our peril. For too long nature has been considered as something that can be destroyed or plundered. The well-being of our world (and civilisation) is dependent upon this culture of abuse being eradicated. 

We must also consider future generations, and this means being more careful in our consumption of electricity and water. Even though this message is being vigorously promoted by the electricity and water suppliers, few seem interested in reducing their usage. There has been a fall of over ten percentage points in the last ten years of people concerned about the state of the environment. This is alarming. Do what you can to help the environment - you will also be helping to create a better world for your children and grandchildren.

It’s important to try and always be kind. You don’t need to have a reason for being kind it’s something you can do simply because it’s the right way to treat others! Kindness doesn’t have to cost you anything except a quick moment to give a hug, share a laugh, or tell someone how much they’re appreciated. Pass it on!

Humankind is capable of such beautiful things, and how sad it is that we lose sight of this all too easily. Will you help to warm your home, your work, your community, by using a greater number of such soft words and actions? Lastly, I would like to thank my sponsors, supporters and volunteers for whatever you had contributed for Project Awareness, also special thank to my good buddy Jacky Goh, my mentor Tan Lam Siong, including Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng and Singapore Kindness Movement Mr William Wan.