"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering (col 3:12)
Kindness is an attitude of empathy that moves one to do something thoughtful towards someone else, including strangers without expectation of anything in return.
It is also the act of showing benevolence (doing good), being mild, gentle, forgiving, and favourable.
"Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies (psalms 103:4)
Kindness is an attribute of God and a feature of"true love". It is the heart of Christ likeness. God has shown us kindness and love in numerous ways but the most evident one is giving his son who died on the cross to redeem us and bring us salvation.
"Everyday testifies to and brings fresh revelations of strife, bribery, fraud, lawlessness, violence, indifference to human suffering, insanity,murder and suicide"(Prophets and Kings pg–154). The world is filled with more hate and less love but as God's children, as recipients of his kindness and love, as his witness to our world, our behavior towards others should reflect his loving kindness and compassion. We should be kind because God has been kind to us.
Partaking in in an act of compassion triggers feelings of warmth, awe, admiration, and love because kindness has a positive influence on the recipient and giver. Words of kindness, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would to many a struggling, lonely one be as a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul.
Love and kindness shouldn't be shown to only people whom we are sure will reciprocate, we should be kind to family, people of the same faith and most importantly to strangers who are truly in need of kindness. We ought to seize every opportunity to contribute to the happiness of those around us.
Two important holidays dedicated to love and kindness: Valentine's day and Random Acts of Kindness Day.
Finally, if you can be anything, be kind because kindness is a gift that everyone can afford to give.