Leave a legacy of kindness every day

We all want to have an impact on the world. Yet we don’t often realise how we influence those around us. Our moods and emotions ripple out to others with strong effect, and from them, they extend out to more people. Even – or especially – those who are very quiet have an impact. Their silence stands out.

Even a seemingly small gesture can go far. A kind word or gesture could be the very thing a depressed or suicidal acquaintance needs. We all know how powerful words can be.

According to the Kabbalah, every time we do a kind act, an extremely beautiful angel is created. If we could see it in this life, we would want to do good things all the time.

Before his final stroke, the Lubavitcher Rebbe was asked by CNN what his message to the world was. He asked for more acts of goodness and kindness.

We could also learn from the African tradition, in which treating others well is part of the culture. This is known as ubuntu, meaning that we are worthwhile because of others.

Greeting strangers on the street is a part of it.

When we treat a person from another group or skin colour well, it reduces racial tension and helps to improve the world.

If you drive a car, it gives you many opportunities to allow trucks or other vehicles in when they need a gap, and reduce tension on the road.

When someone accidentally cuts us off, we tend to take it personally, when it’s nothing like that. The other driver doesn’t know us personally.

Goodwill is a good legacy to leave.