“The true essence of humankind is kindness. There are other qualities which come from education or knowledge, but it is essential, if one wishes to be a genuine human being and impart satisfying meaning to one’s existence, to have a good heart.”……………Dalai Lama
Each of us wants to live a happy and comfortable life. We wish that everything could be accessible. We wish to have the ability to buy anything we desire. What we really need is to understand humanity and nature and transform kindness to a way of life. Being a human, we get the advantages to think more than what we can see, to think about how we have to live, we have the ability to choose our actions, and these actions come back to us. We have to realize that everyone around us wishes to live a happy life as we ourselves, this means that we are connected to a universal goodwill. If we use these advantages to the goodness of not just ourselves, but to others as well, it is the beginning of kindness. Being kind is a way of expressing love to mankind, including our own selves. Unkindness towards others is not loving one’s self. Humanity can be defined as quality of being human as it varies from person to person. Being human does not mean that an individual possesses humanity. Humanity means caring for and helping others whenever and wherever possible. Humanity means helping others at times when they need that help the most, humanity means forgetting our selfish interests at times when others need our help. Humanity means extending unconditional love to each and every living being on Earth. For me the most important religion is humanity – just being a good human being defines you everywhere. All that you need to work upon is being helpful to the needy at all times and every place. Being loving and caring towards all living beings even plants and animals, and above all to understand another person’s problem and realise the situations they are in and be considerate. Humanity is seeing other in pain or need, understand their situation, feel their pain, and in last take action for them to take out from the pain. Today if you fulfill your responsibility and help someone else that needs your sympathy, your affection, your love so in future another person help you in your difficult times. If eating and having fun is only what we are born to do then we should keep one thing in mind; even animals can do this. One does not need a hefty bank account to contribute towards humanitarian activities. Paying our domestic help fairly is also humanity. Lifting the heavy bag for an old woman is humanity, helping a disabled person to cross the road is humanity, helping your mum in chores is humanity; in fact helping anyone who is in need is humanity. An individual’s life is successful not by the number of degrees he or she attains but by the degree of humanitarian activities that individual is into on daily basis. People who always crib that they do not have sufficient facilities available despite having everything can never provide humanitarian services because if one has the mind set of not being self- sufficient, how can he or she help someone else. Only human beings can understand the importance of humanity and it is humanity as a result of intelligence which actually gives the core essence to human existence. You will not need a heavy amount to contribute towards humanitarian activities. You are willing to pay thousands of bucks for your medical check- up but when it comes to paying your employee; you want to save every penny.
One is always remembered for his or her good deeds and it is essential to understand that there is no better deed than providing services for humanitarian causes. As soon as we understand the importance of humanity in day to day life, the purpose for which we are on Earth is automatically fulfilled. Volunteering your time, money, or energy to help others doesn’t just make the world better — it also makes you better. Studies indicate that the very act of giving back to the community boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being. Humans need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance among social groups, regardless of whether these groups are large or small. Humans need to love and be loved by others. Many people become susceptible to loneliness, social anxiety, and clinical depression in the absence of this love or belonging element. This need for belonging may overcome the physiological and security needs, depending on the strength of the peer pressure. Acts of kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place. An act of kindness can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness and optimism. They may also encourage others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced themselves – contributing to a more positive community. Being humankind seems like a no-brainer, but research shows there’s great benefit. Showing kindness doesn’t just feel good, it’s also good for your health. It has been shown to lower blood pressure, boost joyfulness, reduce pain, improve healing and increase acceptance by peers. Acts of kindness improve bonds and social relationships, and helps children to develop stronger friendships.
(The author is Former Incahrge Abhedananada Home-Higher Secondary Institution for Inclusive Education, Solina, Srinagar, J&K. Views are his own)
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