Learning how to be kind

Dear children: It goes without saying that I want you to learn how to read. I want you to master writing, counting, world geography, and history. I want you to learn how to cook, craft, and be a good communicator. But above all, I want you to learn how to be kind.

I’d like you to always say thank you.
To be polite, of course, but more importantly to show your gratitude. In our individualistic society, where life moves at a breakneck pace, it’s important to acknowledge those who take a moment to give you a helping hand. Saying thank you may not seem like much, but it often means more than you know.

I’d like you to hold the door for others.
Because it’s important to be aware of the people around you. Because you should notice and help others. Because these small, everyday gestures make people happy. And finally, because you should never shut a door in someone’s face. 

I’d like you to always respond when someone says hello.
Regardless of who’s speaking. Regardless of whether they’re rich, poor, covered in jewels, or dressed in rags. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. We all deserve to be heard and acknowledged.

I’d like you to greet others with a smile.
Not only your friends. Smile at your teacher, the supermarket cashier, the man at the hardware store, and the bus driver. Smile at the mail carrier, the people you pass on the street, and the waiter who takes your order—even if you’ve been waiting a long time to be served. A smile is friendly, free, and makes others feel good!

I’d like you to offer help to those who need it and not to complain when asked to lend a hand.
I hope you’ll offer to clear the table when you have dinner at your in-laws, pick up and return an item that’s fallen from a stranger’s bag, and help your friends move—even during a heatwave. Offering your help shows that you care about those around you. Plus, I’m sure that if you’re generous with your time and attention, you’ll come out ahead. 

I’d like you to always follow the rules.
While some rules are made to be broken, you should never act in a way that disrespects others. That means being silent in a movie theatre, following the speed limit while driving, and throwing your trash in the proper bin. It means stopping your car at every crosswalk, waiting patiently in long lines, and turning off your cellphone when you’re driving. 

At times, you’ll probably find me very demanding.
Maybe even annoying. But I want you to put as much effort into learning these life lessons as you do into learning how to read and write. I want you to be aware and respectful of others because, in today’s self-centred and fast-paced world, kindness has a tendency to be forgotten. I believe that raising kids to be kind can make the world a better place. All it takes is a bit of gratitude, a smile, and a friendly hello.