Be kind to one another

Kindness is measurable. It is that quality that can be physical as well as intangible. Stopping at a traffic light that has turned red, for instance, is kindness. It ensures that you do not put other road users at risk. It prevents a helpless orange seller from running too quickly to avoid you, tripping, losing his/her balance, all his/her oranges, and possibly his/her life. Kindness can be just the ability to provide succour by listening. There are many acts of kindness and in one breath it is the absence of wickedness but in another more complicated space, it is the ultimate humanity, humanness, charity and forgiveness.

Let us take samplers:

I have often told my children what my most cherished father, Alfred Yenisa Amodu, told me as a growing child: “If you are in class and you know the answer to all the questions your teacher asked, don’t put up your hand to answer all the questions and if you have answered two out of ten, then that is enough for that time. Do not answer the two questions back to back. Spread them.” My father broke it down thus: “Not everyone in your class knows the answers. Some are trying. If your hand goes up each time, you intimidate the child who is trying and they will be afraid to raise their hands. By pretending you do not know the answer to some of the questions, they will be courageous enough to raise their hand and participate.” I was young but it stayed with me. Be kind to one another.

As a couple, it is imperative that your comments to each other are kind, thoughtful and respectful. In a lot of the cases, we shout at each other, call each other names and undo each other in front of our children. If you are constantly calling your wife “stupid” in front of your kids, even as a joke, they will assume that their mum is dumb and will grow up thinking the way you yell at each other is the best form of conversation. Do not call your husband “that stupid man” either. Never in front of the kids and never in a public conversation. Be kind to one another.

What does it benefit a man to bury his colleague alive and pretend that all is well? Untruth has very short legs and cannot run very far. So your colleague seems just a touch sharper than you, so you plot his/her downfall. You create stories that are untrue, weave them around the premises and believe them yourself. Goebelism does not help. Spiritually you are working against yourself. A lot of our gifts are from God. So don’t fight God. A grave dug to bury another ultimately becomes yours particularly if the person is innocent. It is the law of karma. Be kind to one another.

Leaders be kind to your followers. Give them updates, keep them informed, do not offer what you cannot give. Do not make bogus promises. Keep it real. There is nothing more beneficial to leaders than honesty, integrity, kindness, empathy. Engender trust. Be kind to one another.

Followers be kind to your leaders. Give them a chance. Let them govern, do not distract them, hold them accountable. Be logical. Do not be in a hurry to judge. Look at all sides. Be kind to one another.

Families are said to be the smallest unit of society. Herein lies the most important factor for the creation of geniuses, terrorists, anti-social beings and war-mongers. Parents be kind to your children. Keep an eye on them. Do not bully them. Do not be abusive. Teach them virtues. Teach them wisdom. Do not encourage favourtism. Be fair at all times. Appreciate a good child.

Manage a bad one. Do not overwork a child. Love them, provide for them. Keep the system whole. Pray for your children. Be kind to one another.

Children honour your father and your mother so that your days will be long. Throw rudeness, disrespect, and meanness out of the window. Are you estranged from your parents? Visit them today. Do not abandon your old folks. Be kind to one another.

Terrorists, insurgents, it does not matter your name. Killing an innocent soul does not help anyone’s cause. Be still, be kind to one another.

As a stepfather, do not take advantage of your stepdaughter; do not assault her physically or sexually. Do not loathe your stepson. Stepmothers do not try to kill your stepchildren.

Stepchildren, who are always finding fault, respect your new parents. It is hard but you can try.

Workers respect your bosses, bosses be kind to your subordinates.

In friendship do not cheat, do not betray or backbite, do not badmouth, be each other’s rock. Be kind to one another.

Teachers do not take advantage. A student is your ward, our future leaders. Students be respectful of your teachers.

Finally, remember that kindness is the ultimate elixir and the antidote for all manners of evils and disharmony. As a new government births, let us promise to be kind to one another as we are kith and kin.