“I have to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer. Have courage and be kind,” were a mother’s last words to her daughter Cinderella before she died. In the movie, kindness and courage really did see her through all the trials in her life. Kindness and courage brought magic in the fairytale. Luckily, this magic does not only happen in movies but also in real life if one understands how powerful these virtues are.
 

Kindness: A magic we can bring into our lives

In the movie, Cinderella was kind to everyone, even her unkind stepmother and stepsisters. Her kindness was genuine, as she did not expect others to reciprocate her kindness. She was kind because that’s who she was. She did not deviate from what she knew was right despite all the trials that she encountered. In turn, she was blessed with a fairy godmother who helped her meet her prince. Some might say that the fairy godmother brought magic into her life but if examined closely, her kindness did.

We too, can bring magic into our lives and the lives of people around us if we see that there is power in kindness. There are several ways that we can make this happen:

• Treat others with kindness. Every one of us, in one way or another, is finding a way back home to our Heavenly Father. We all have different experiences and circumstances, have taken different paths, developed different talents, and acquired different skills. We react, perceive, and handle things differently. This is the reality and we cannot control it. What we can control is our attitude towards these differences. A little act of kindness can gladden the heart of an already wearied soul. Elder Wirthlin said, “Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another. Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

• Speak kindly. The words we say can become a balm of Gilead that can heal a wounded soul or a two-edge sword that can inflict pain to others. May we always choose the former and strive not to offend or speak ill of others or ourselves. May our words be filled with consideration and compassion that we may be able to speak with a new tongue, even the tongue of angels.

A Call for Courage

If there had been a Cinderella in Old Testament times, it would have been Queen Esther of Persia. She risked her life and saved a nation by entering the King’s court without being summoned, an act punishable by law. She pled for her life and the life of her people. She could have held her peace that she was a Jew and remained in the comfort of her court but she chose to do what she knew was right, even if saving her people would cost her life.

The call for courage for us in these latter days may not be as dramatic as in the time of Queen Esther or other heroes and heroines in the Bible, but we are called to have courage every day of our lives—every time a choice is placed before us. Scottish poet and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Everyday courage has few witnesses. But yours is no less noble because no drum beats for you and no crowds shout your name.”

President Thomas S. Monson said, “Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.” As we choose to be courageous in choosing what’s right, we will find strength in the Savior and our Heavenly Father. As we do so, the words of Cinderella’s mother will be truer than true, that kindness and courage can see us through all the trials in our lives.

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We live in this world that is constantly changing and we all hope for a future that is better and brighter than the times in which we currently live! We cannot control the actions of others or tell them what they should do to achieve that goal but we can start by doing simple things in our own little ways.

One of the simple things that we can do is taught in a Mormon Children’s song:

I want to be kind to ev’ryone,

For that is right, you see.

So I say to myself, “Remember this:

Kindness begins with me.

When we do something good for others, we feel good about ourselves and we are filled with unexplainable joy. From simple things, great things are realized. We can experience change in our own life or in the lives of others.

Here is a list of small acts of kindness we can share with others:

1. Always wear a smile wherever you go.
2. Say I Love you to your parents and mean it. Or if you’re a parent, tell your kids that you love them.
3. Leave positive comments to 10 of your friends on social media.
4. When your friends talk negatively about someone, say something positive and nice.
5. Give away clothes that you may not use anymore to the less fortunate.
6. Give someone a hug.
7. Offer to do household chores.
8. Never forget to say these magic words: “Please” and “Thank you!”
9. When you’re in a jeepney, bus or train, offer your seat to a disabled, elderly, or pregnant person.
10. Be a courteous driver.
11. Don’t litter. Pick up trash when you go for a walk.
12. Invite someone to wholesome, fun and meaningful activities.
13. Leave an uplifting note on your colleague’s work desk or on the armchair of your seatmate in school.
14. Make some extra food to share with your colleague at work or with a classmate.
15. Comfort someone by listening intently.
16. Drop someone off at home, school or their workplace.
17. Initiate a conversation with someone who is shy, aloof or isolated.
18. Send a text message to 20 contacts in your phonebook and let them know that you love and care for them.
19. Do a load of laundry or cook a good meal for someone who is going through a rough time.
20. Offer to babysit for free.
21. Participate in community service projects.
22. Donate blood.
23. Hang out with a person who just moved in near your place.
24. Put away all distractions (e.g. smartphone, laptop) and spend some quality time with someone.
25. Email, text or leave a Facebook message for a teacher who made a difference in your life.
26. Leave a sticky note with uplifting quotes on the restroom mirrors.
27. Help someone solve a Math problem, teach Basic English or help out with a Science project.
28. Remind yourself to have patience because everyone is fighting their own battles.
29. List some positive traits of a friend and let them know.
30. Plant a tree.
31. Bring an extra umbrella at school or at work and let someone borrow it on their way home.
32. Help someone find a job. If you can’t, at least you can accompany them in securing the requirements.
33. Each night before you retire to bed, think of at least 5 things you’re grateful for.
34. Give a homeless person a snack or meal.
35. Visit an elderly or lonely person.
36. Treat someone with an ice cream or a pizza.
37. Help someone who is struggling with heavy equipment or bags.
38. Give direction to someone who is trying to locate a certain place.
39. Invite others to eat lunch or dinner with you at home.
40. Volunteer your time at a library, school, or community center.

Acts of service need not be expensive and do not necessarily require a massive amount of efforts. When you have the desire to help others every day, you also help to accomplish positive change in this world. By showing deep concern and pure love for others, we develop a close relationship to God and His children.

These simple joys can have a domino effect and you may never know the extent your simple acts have influenced or changed the lives of others. Through selfless and unconditional service, you can make the world a better place.

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