Piero Ferrucci is a world-renowned psychologist and author of a book titled The Power of Kindness. In his book, Mr. Ferrucci references numerous research studies that show how kind people are healthier, live longer, feel better about themselves, are more popular, more productive, enjoy greater success in business and are happier. In addition, kind people are destined to live more interesting and fulfilling lives and are better equipped to face life’s many unpredictable challenges than those who aren’t kind. His conclusion is: “If we are healthier when we are caring, empathetic and open to others, it means we are born to be kind.” He goes on to say: “Kindness itself might seem lightweight, and yet it is a central factor in our lives. It has surprising power to transform us, perhaps more than any other attribute or technique.” This being the case, we all need to make it a point to be kind. We have so much to gain if we do and a lot to lose if we don’t.
Hi Ross, In 1963 my parents and I moved to Tennessee. We were walking down a sidewalk across from the Town Square in Bolivar. We had breakfast after church and took a stroll to see what our small town was about. As we walked men would tip their hats to us which surprised me. Wow, I thought, such friendliness! However, when we came across a black person they’d leave the sidewalk to walk in the street. We had already noticed in Jackson that the water fountains and rest rooms had white only signs. The movie theatre sent black people to the loft upstairs. Oddly enough my brother and I tried to sit up there. Staff kids wouldn’t let us.
Now days I try to let Minorities know I see them. I’ll smile, say hello or maybe say what a nice day it is. I took some black neighbors to our village swimming pool and was so sad to see a boy, not from our block, give the 3 kids a face of hate. I have read so many black authors and I know that is just part of their day. That’s why I try to connect with people of color.