"No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed." -Amelia Earhart, American Aviation Pioneer and Women's Rights Activist, Amelia Earhart books//

Being kind to others is something of a rarity in today's fast-paced, 'me'-centric world. Kindness takes time, and time is money. Doing something good for another person means that you have to stop what you're doing for yourself.

Therein lies the rub for most people: they think the return on investment for being kind is too low to justify the effort. They would rather only do things for themselves.

I strongly disagree with this mindset, for several reasons - it's selfish; it's short-sighted; it's stupid; and, it's wrong.

People are selfish. They get so focused on what they're doing, or the problems in their own lives, that they don't see the simple needs of others around them. How hard is it to open a door for a neighbor with arms full of groceries? How is it that your blue tooth conversation is more important than giving directions to someone who is lost?

The failure to be kind is rooted in selfishness. Do you think by being selfish that you are more productive? If you don't help others freely and frequently, then how many people are helping you to succeed in life? Personal productivity is multiplied by the assistance of others, and conversely, it is limited by your own capacity.

People are short-sighted. They want something tangible in return for their efforts, and they want it right now. If they don't get an immediate quid pro quo, then they're not interested. They don't want to be kind because it is a long-term investment strategy, and they just don't have the time or patience to allow it to mature and grow.

Being kind doesn't always produce an immediate return, but over a period of time, it produces sustainable results and the potential for huge rewards. Every time you do something kind, you are making a deposit into a relationship bank account. The more deposits you make, the better when you need to make a withdrawal. What do you think will happen if your bank account is empty? You're not going to get a loan when you really need it. People who are kind never have an empty relationship bank account.

People are stupid. Being kind is common sense. It's one half of the Golden Rule. If you want people to treat you a certain way, then you have to extend that behavior first. If you're a Law of Attraction believer, then you understand that you get back what you put into the universe. If you're a selfish bastard, then that's exactly the kind of people you will attract. If you're a kind person, then kind people will be drawn to you and want to help you. It doesn't take a genius to understand this concept yet, apparently, the results are not self-evident. Being kind is smart business; being selfish is just dumb.

People are wrong. There are those who think that there's no point in being kind to others because no one is ever kind to them. This is a victim mentality. Life happens to these people and not because of them. They expect others to make the first move before they will make an effort to do something in return. They think that they are owed something in life. In reality, though, they fail to be kind to others because they believe no one else deserves it more than they do. This is just wrong. Everyone deserves kindness, even those that never show it. The ripple effect of kindness may fall randomly on those who are not kind, but it won't engulf them. When you are kind to others, it's like throwing a rock in a pond - it produces a ripple effect that always find it's way back to you.

Is there a return on investment for being kind? Absolutely. It may not always be tangible and immediate, but it is a return that you can bank on. People who are kind feel good about themselves; and, in turn, they are loved and respected by others. People who are selfish feel stressed and alone; and, in turn, they are less productive and overburdened.

Are you a kind person? Do you look for opportunities to be kind to others? Take the time today to perform 5 random acts of kindness and see what happens. You may be surprised at the ripple effect it has on yourself and others.

Leave a comment with the results of your efforts, or share your thoughts on the importance of being kind.

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