November 1999

Kindness: A Fundamental Principle for a Fundamental Unit of Society

In the poll, people from all areas of the world agreed that a lasting marriage between husband and wife is the most important factor in creating good family life. However, they differed according to region about other factors that create a good family life. In the Middle East and Africa, people chose religious faith (28 percent), while those in Asia selected financial security (28 percent), and those in Europe were divided between financial security (28 percent) and interaction with extended family (26 percent) and religious faith (23 percent).

The poll also said that good communication was an important factor for creating a strong marriage (40 percent), followed by lifelong commitment to one's spouse (20 percent); shared interests and goals (18 percent); and ability to resolve conflict (12 percent).

It is very evident how the world feels about families. For years government ears have been listening to the well-funded noisy minorities. The family is the fundamental unit of society and must be protected as such.

Throughout history, the family unit has been the foundation of our society. Civilizations have succeeded or failed in direct proportion to the success or failure of their families.

Today in the United States the disintegration of the family is driving our most urgent problems. Statistics show that the breakup of the family is the foundational cause of poverty, violence, drugs, and crime.

Strong families create strong communities. Therefore, if we want to strengthen a nation, we must strengthen its families.

The first step to strengthening our families is using the single most important ingredient to a happy home, kindness. This was the conclusion of a family study completed by researchers Dr. Ivan F. Beutler, Dr. Thomas R. Lee, and Wesley R. Burr. Kindness was determined to be the most important determinant to happy, successful families.

Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a well known humanitarian, once said, "Kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate."

Perhaps one of the best examples of showing kindness comes from a Special Olympics held for special kids in Seattle, Washington, USA. Nine contestants assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. Every runner was either physically or mentally disabled. At the sound of the gun they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but each with great excitement to run the race to finish and win.

Suddenly, one boy stumbled on the asphalt and fell. He lay on the ground and cried. When the other contestants heard the boy crying, they slowed down and stopped. Then all eight of those special young people turned around and went back. One girl with Down's syndrome bent down and kissed him, saying, "This will make it better." They picked up their fallen competitor, then all nine linked arms and grinning broadly, they walked together to the finish line.

Everyone in the stadium that day was touched by the compassionate act of kindness they had witnessed. The entire audience unanimously gave the runners a long, enthusiastic standing ovation.

Mother Teresa encouraged everyone to be kind when she said, "Spread love wherever you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting."

For kindness to have an effect on the world, it must start in the fundamental unit of society, the family. May we all strive to do our part today, by showing forth kindness in the home through our expressions, actions, and thoughts.

Onward and Upward!

Brad Stone

Families Worldwide