Hello mi neighbour | The benefits of kindness

DOES THIS mean anything to you? The body processes food through ingestion, digestion, absorption and elimination. Ingestion begins in the mouth, where food is broken down by teeth and saliva. It is then forwarded to the stomach, to be further broken down (digestion) by acids and enzymes before entering the small intestine. At that stage, it is absorbed into the bloodstream as nutrients. Finally, what is not used by the body, is carefully transferred to the large intestine for elimination. Aren’t we “fearfully and wonderfully made”? We give thanks?

But who thinks about how the body processes food at the dinner table or the restaurant, etc? From the look on the faces of those patrons at the fast food a few days ago, I don’t think food processing was on their minds. What was evident was a blend of anxiety, impatience and hunger. Having paid for and collected their favourite dish, they sat at the table, ate and walked away seemingly satisfied. Sitting in someone’s office a little later that afternoon, as soon as his lunch arrived, teeth and saliva started to work ... guess he was very hungry. If he didn’t even pause to say grace, do you think the process of food consumption could have even crossed his mind? Hardly think so. And while it is not particularly necessary to understand how the body processes food, before consuming it, it is important to consume foods that are important to our health. Do your research, and remember not to go overboard this Christmas.

So, while we may not need a lecture on why we need to eat food (hunger is a great incentive), not so with kindness, for many of of us. Some of us have the gall to look at hungry person straight in the face and deny them a meal while being more than able to. While there may be no legal system in place to punish an individual who simply refuses to help a hungry stranger, such a one could be in big trouble down the road.

Feeding the hungry is widely considered a fundamental human kindness and a moral obligation. Denying someone food when one has the ability to help is often seen as inhumane and a sign of a hardened and cold heart. Could even be classified as murder! In many religious traditions, the refusal to help the poor and hungry is seen as a serious offence with potentially severe consequences.

In the Old Testament of the Bible, there is a warning that those who ignore the cries of the poor will themselves “cry out in their time of need and receive no answer”. In the Sheep and the Goats parable it is explicitly stated that those who fail to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or house the stranger are condemned to “eternal punishment”. Unkindness can carry hefty punishment now and the hereafter. Show some mercy, mi neighbour!

For many reasons we must embrace! “Kindness benefits humankind by improving mental and physical health, strengthening relationships, and fostering a more positive and resilient society through a contagious ‘pay-it-forward’ effect. It boosts individual well-being by increasing happiness and reducing stress, while also strengthening communities by building social connections and promoting a sense of belonging”. Is there a need to elaborate here? Don’t think so.

The benefits of kindness in the Bible include a good relationship with God, personal well-being, and a positive impact on others. When we show kindness to our neighbours we “lend to the Lord” whose “interest rate” is unmatchable!

Kindness to others also results in super blessings for the benefactor. Kindness is a way to show appreciation for life and the ability to generate and to care for self and family!

Kind words and actions can encourage others to be kind to others in return – not expecting anything in return. It serves as a light for others: acts of strength and compassion that has the power to impact others for good.

As we navigate life in a tough world where many of our neighbours are “feeling the pinch”, let’s remember that they are a part of us, and as such, deserve their “pinch” of the Creator’s pie.

Again we ask that you:

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636/876 884-3866 or deposit in acct #351 044 276 NCB. Alternatively, send donations to Hello Neighbour C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.