There are probably many words that K can stand for but I think that kindness is one of the most important.
There are many facets of kindness...teaching little children about life and how to live it well; helping people who are less fortunate than we are; always making sure any animals in our lives our loved and well cared for; helping people we don't know really if they need our help.
I am not a religious person but I try to live my life treating others as I would have them treat me. I need people to be kind to me so I in turn must and will be kind to them.
Today I am hearing more and more in the media about people being less kind and considerate to each other. Some tend to think simple words like please, thank you, excuse me etc., are perhaps not cool. This saddens me so much and makes me wonder what type of world my grandchildren and great-children are facing. They are being taught to be kind but inevitably they will come up against others that haven't been taught that or just choose to ignore it anyway and go their own merry way regardless of any harm or hurt they cause others.
I've always felt that kindness results in kindness in return and politeness works the same way. The following is an example of what I am talking about:
Many years ago (back in the 1967-74) I worked as a telephonist. There was a country branch and when I started this job I was warned that the boss in Northam was a very rude man. I discovered this was so when I first had to deal with him. He wanted to talk to my boss who happened to be on the telephone. This chap from Northam rudely told me to get a message to him quickly and to have him ring back straight away. I replied that it was not my place to tell Mr B to get off the phone but would have him ring ASAP. This occurred a couple of times until in the end I decided enough was enough. I spoke as politely as I could and told the Northam chap that of course I would have Mr B phone back as soon as I could and then went on to ask him how he was today and what was the weather like up in Northam that day. For a moment he seemed quite nonplussed but then answered me in a polite manner. After that he was always very polite and we got on like a house on fire and would often have a little chat for a few seconds when he rang. If others had taken the time to behave in a kind manner I am sure they would also have found he wasn't such a bad chap after all. I am not sure that would work today as everyone is in such a rush but one can always hope.
