A quote I came across caught on to me like a ray of sunshine brightening up a day. It emphasized that gratitude should not be a choice but one’s lifestyle. There is indeed so much gravity in this line of thought, and I would also add kindness and empathy to the list.
Being kind and grateful not only generates pleasant feelings but also helps ward off the sad and negative thoughts that swirl in the mind. The icing on the cake is that when one practices these values, they spread happiness to those around them.
One’s age has nothing to do with being generous. Big acts of kindness can come from the tiniest of hands, and some of these stories that we see, hear, or read about nurture the hope that children can create wonders!
A simple bow sparks magic
Earlier this month, a heartwarming incident believed to have taken place in China took the Internet by storm. A young child was seen on the road pushing an elderly person in a wheelchair while drivers paused to let her cross safely. In return, the girl stopped after every step she took and bowed politely to thank each driver who waited for her.
Her simple yet profound act of gratitude earned her an avalanche of praise from around the world, setting an example of politeness, grace, and empathy. The emotional moment, captured on video and shared widely on social media, has touched millions and reinforced the enduring importance of kindness and respect.
When a birthday is not all about receiving gifts
Love, innocence, and compassion blended together when a boy from a Virginia home in the USA celebrated his third birthday in a unique style. Little Davi’s admiration for the garbage collectors led to a request which made his parents set up a special breakfast table for the sanitation workers in front of their house. The family wished to express their thankfulness for the men who picked up their trash every week.
The kid eagerly waited for the men to arrive so that he could hand them their breakfast. The workers, bowled over by this kind gesture, graciously accepted the food and blew the truck’s horn before they left in honor of Davi’s birthday.
The winner who does not play!
A short film by Surf Excel tugs at the heartstrings and delivers a powerful message about who a true winner really is. Little Atharva plays football and comes home in messy, muddy clothes. He impresses his mother, who buys him a pair of shoes after seeing his active interest in the sport.
One day, she plans to surprise him by going to the field during a game and gets surprised instead. She sees him sitting on a wall and cheering others and gets to know that he is not even on the team. It hurts her that her son has been lying all along about playing and going to all those daily practices. Her sadness turns into immense joy, and her heart swells with pride when she discovers the truth. Atharva all along had allowed his friend Suraj to borrow his shoes because he was an accomplished player but could not afford to get his own pair.
The treasures that last forever
All parents want their children to be successful in life. Their faces beam with joy when they see their kids doing well academically or excelling in sports, music, arts, or any field of their interest.
However, is success all about getting good grades and winning trophies? As much as these achievements have value, it is equally important for children to inculcate virtues that are infectious and influence all those who interact with them. These are the qualities that last forever and guide them to make the world a happy and peaceful place. After all, the real winners in life are not those who simply achieve success but rather those who carry empathy, kindness, gratitude, and sensitivity in their hearts.
rashmi writes 