The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-02-24
THE ART OF BEING KIND.

We do not, as rule, regard our ability
to extend kindness to others as an art, yet
in this day of petty jealousy and strife and
competition there is no quality that par
takes 80 much of the nature of an art as
that of kindness. There are so many ways
of expressing it, so many ways that pass
for the real thing but which are merely its
counterfeits and so many ways that con-
vey anything but the intended impression
that it is necessary to devote some consid-
Grafton to our own method of expressing
the kindly feelings we believe we possess
The chance of being kind to some one is
afforded Us almost every day, sometimes
in more convincing way than ordinarily
but always to the point if We only use the
opportunity in the right way. The person
who acts upon impulse is supposed to lack
judgment and discretion but it generally
happens that such person is able to do an
act of kindness with far better results than
if he considered the various aspects of the
case and acted with deliberation. Occa-
sionally our heart is touched by pathetic
incident which we hear about, or by sor-
rowful scene that We may witness, and if
we obey the impulse of the moment and
do the kindly deed that our sympathy
prompts we would not, as rule, make any
very serious mistake. 1t is often only q
trifle that appeals to US; perhaps only a
look of disappointment, or OF panied resig-
nation, Or the patient acceptance of un-
fortunate conditions, but enough to arouse
the desire to express our sympaty by some
kindly act. In such circumstances it is
necessary to act at once, or else the oppor-
tunity will be lost forever. Many Grimes
are committed in the name of liberty, it is
true, and many, many blunders in the
name of conventionality.
We follow where others lead, generally
speaking; We do as others do and for the
most part build our lives after their speci-
cations and are afraid to take risk in our
own behalf. We see opportunities for cul-
tivating the art of being kind, but because
they sometimes lead US into actions some
what out of the usual order of things we
shrink from offending the conventions and
let many chances of being kind slip by. 1t
is not often that the same opportunity pre-
sents itself more than once and if we do
not avail ourselves of it and do the good
deed that our hearts prompt the remorse
that ensues is not easy to bear. II we look
back carefully upon our lives we are almost
sure to see opportunity after opportunity
of being kind that we have let slip by, and
the acceptance Of which would have meant
much in many ways. 1t would not have
made great difference to us at the time per-
haps, especially if we had acted upon the
impulse of the moment and given prompt
expression to our friendly feelings, but the
satisfactions that would have proceeded
from such deeds would have more than
repaid US.
The art of being kind is one that needs
the constant stimulation OF deeds them
selves, otherwise it cannot be developed to
its fullest power. We like to be kind, of
course, and wish with all our hearts, per-
haps, that we would never be anything but
kindly to others all our lives. The trouble
is, however, that most of US allow our
kindly feelings to end there and never fol-
low them up with the good deeds that show
results. We must prove our worth by our
actions and there is no surer way of doing
SO than by cultivating the art of being kind
in its widest and fullest sense, not with our
own ACKNOWLEDGMENT as the object in
view but only to help and encourage those
who need assistance. 1t is quite true that