ACTS OF KINDNESS

 Acts of Kindness are expressions of compassion. Practice of Compassion can take place on two levels: inward contemplation and outward action.

- Inward Contemplation:

Compassion is such an important value that it is important we learn to feel it towards everyone around us. Even people who seem to be giving us the most grief may be acting as they are because of some inward hurt they are feeling. If we can recognize their suffering, sometimes we can change the dynamic between us. On some regular basis, we may each want to pause and list through the people in our lives and inwardly offer them compassion. This could change the way we act towards them. WE must also remember to cultivate compassion towards ourselves.

- Outward Action:

Ultimately practicing compassion involves doing acts of kindness on a practical level. Acts of care and compassion are essential for humanizing life and building community. Many examples are listed in the description of the Shared Commitments of the Beth Shalom Spiritual Fellowship:

These are the ways by which we enhance life in the here and now,

with an eye toward the larger good; and they are:

honoring parents and heritage;

acts of kindness;

participation in the holidays, celebrations, commemorations and functions of our community; 

hospitality and embracing people; 

emotionally supporting and physically caring for those with illness, troubles and affliction,

joining with each other to celebrate joyful rites of passage;

joining with each other to mark difficult rites of passage and to engage in acts of remembrance in honor of friends, family, loved ones and community members who have passed away;

meditation, prayer and contemplative devotion;

fostering peace and repairing the world;

with life-long study and learning as a beginning and ending point.

Our acts of compassion can extend throughout our local community, our distance community and beyond.