Courage and Kindness

"There are men and women who make the world better just by being the kind of people they are.  They have the gift of kindness or courage or loyalty or integrity.  It really matters very little whether they are behind the wheel of a truck or running a business or bringing up a family.  They teach the truth by living it."
― James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States

A very good friend of mine is travelling in China with her two young daughters, both of whom were adopted from there.  She has dreamed about and planned this trip for years.  It was important to my friend that her daughters have an appreciation for their birth country.  The family has had the trip of a lifetime and I have been blessed to receive updates on their adventure. 

A couple of days ago, my friend wrote to share that she had crossed two huge mountains on a hanging bridge -- and she is afraid of heights!

"It was the most terrifying thing I have ever done," she shared.  "The girls were not the slightest bit scared."

When I wrote back, I told her that she was very brave and asked her whether she was outside of her comfort zone.  She replied: "I have done many things out of my comfort zone so that I don't pass my phobias on to the girls."

Courage* -- which is not being fearless, but forging ahead regardless -- can be kindness to others in various ways.  Sometimes, we have to brave to be kind: Think of all the first responders who risk their lives every day.  And then sometimes, it is about setting an example, like my friend in China.  I know she shares many of my fears and phobias, and yet she digs in and forges ahead for the sake of her girls.  What a terrific example!  I admire her so much.

And as if her courage is not enough, yesterday morning, she shared their kind act of the day:  They saw a little girl, maybe seven years old, taking care of her baby brother, and they gave her a box of crayons and a colouring book.  "She couldn't believe it," my friend wrote.  "Her smile was priceless."

I would say that a mother overcoming her fears to set an important example for her daughters is not only kind, but also priceless.

* One dictionary I consulted defines "courage" as "the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. without fear."  I respectfully disagree with the "without fear" part.  I believe that people who are brave forge ahead in spite of their fears.