Fred Rogers, an American television host and author once remarked: “Imagine what our real neighbors would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person. There have been so many stories about the lack of courtesy, the impatience of today's world, road rage and even restaurant rage. Sometimes, all it takes is one kind word to nourish another person. Think of the ripple effect that can be created when we nourish someone. One kind empathetic word has a wonderful way of turning into many.” Colossians 4:6 confirms: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
The Golden Rule, is a principle of ethics, directly relating to a specific path in Christianity. It is summarised in Matthew 7:12 and outlines the basic concept that one should always treat others as they would also wish to be treated. This maxim has primarily been associated with the general concept of Christian morals, however, it can also relate to many other religions in several different demeanors.
Kind words are often said to be uttered by those who are believed to have a friendly or generous temperament. They signify an agreeable disposition which is portrayed to people, especially in times of need or hunger. A deep-rooted concern for others in times of anguish or adversity provides an opportunity in life to feed and nourish empty hearts through the power of God’s enduring love. It displays empathy and consideration to those suffering from perturbation, grief or perhaps hardship. They may reassure in times of personal doubt or encourage the prospect of peace during periods of conflict. It is a sad fact of life that some people suffer from the malady of audaciousness. They are apathetic to the feelings of others. They are disrespectful of life in general and those who dwell in it. They could be said to display the characteristics or inadvisable qualities of egocentrism. 2 Timothy 3:2-4 confirms: “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Nourishment through kind words can sustain life. It can not only feed, but becomes the constant food for survival. It can provide sustainability to the recipient to overcome the hunger within. Balanced reasoning may result from the pleasing effects, if one wonders or has any doubts of their true effectiveness in life. Everybody loves compliments, it helps them to realize that their efforts have been noticed or accepted by others and provides internal consistency. John 6:35 confirms: “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Psalm 1 can be associated with the “Golden Rule” which defines the way of the righteous and the wicked. It reminds us: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” This passage not only imparts a stern warning to those with unrighteous or selfish thoughts, but creates a sense of contentment for the guileless. It portrays an ideal life that will never perish because it reflects kindness, peace and goodness combined. The Bible informs us that man has been created in the image of God and as such, it is only right that, in our appreciation, part of us portray some of His qualities to another.
Love and kindness shown to others are two of those important traits that many hope to receive for themselves. Matthew 7:12-14 reminds us: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” These attributes, readily available within our hearts, can create empathy for another. The inner hurt or sadness that they may be experiencing intermediates from one to another and we relate to their pain. It may create a specific chord in our own heart from perhaps a past experience and we also wish to help alleviate their suffering. This may be achieved by either kind and comforting words or direct action depending on the severity of the circumstances. However, we need to be careful that what we provide, is the right type of empathy, as that has been noted to often exist in two entirely different forms.
Amit Ray, an Indian author once remarked: “There are two types of empathy: the positive empathy and the negative empathy. When we are fully carried away by the unaware activities of the mirror neurons, we are under the trap of negative empathy. The negative empathy generates attachments. Out of these attachments suffering follows. Negative empathy is a kind of reaction to a situation, whereas positive empathy is internal response of peace love and tranquility. In positive empathy, your deep tranquility, joy and peace activates the mirror neurons of the others, whereas in negative empathy your mirror neurons are activated by the disturbance of others.”
Certain people live in constant fear of being spoken about behind their backs. For some it can become homogeneous to paranoia. They believe that everything that is said is usually of a derogatory or unkind nature. They lack belief in themselves and may think that their worth is considered of little value by others. This is often misguided and may even instill an inferiority complex. Hearing kind words either directly or through third parties can uplift their hearts. They can encourage self-confidence that also leads to kindness towards others. If one feels good about themselves, that in itself can create the ability to pass goodness on to another. The merry-go-round of life not only rotates in the right direction for the betterment of all on board but becomes fruitful and productive. Kind words can make all the difference in the world. They can help to retain positive thinking in an otherwise negative situation. The warmth provided, can provide power and the semblance that life, even in the most difficult of situations, can still be worth living. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Amen.
