25 Feb – Kindness
by Rafael Antonio, SPARK social justice
“You are very lucky” said many a friend and relative to me. I recently returned home to my country of origin after a hectic and emotionally demanding year as an international student.
But it was only after this statement, did I realise how true this sentiment was. I was a man of two worlds. I was a working international student. I had to learn how to juggle both my studies, as well as my responsibilities towards my current occupation. It was difficult!
I still recall the shifts, where I could only rely on the copious amounts of caffeine from coffee (thanks to the generous privilege of my job) to get through the work shift, and stumble back to my accommodation to begin my studies and research.
“What sustained you?” many of you may ask. The answer I can only think of is kindness.
It’s no secret that in recent memory, both in the UK and the world at large, there has been a lack of kindness, last year’s “summer of violence” comes to mind, first a riot in a neighbouring town in Leeds and later the entire country was engulfed in such chaos after the horrific murder of three children.
Kindness is indeed powerful, its current lacking and absence in the
world is proof of its power.
But indeed, I was very lucky, because on many occasions of the life I had carved in a country that is not my own, I experienced it.
My job, while physically demanding, never forced me to do anything beyond reason and the staff welcomed me with open arms. They helped me cross my comfort zone, they always looked for my best interest, and above all always made sure my person was safe and sound throughout every shift.
It restored my belief in the good of people.
In frank terms, kindness is difficult to locate. That is why, when we see it, it makes it all the more important to follow such leads and become an example of it.
As a foreigner with a great command of the English language, I will admit it has been disheartening to have experienced being unwelcomed for simply being foreign…and I can only shudder of what others might have experienced without this ability.
I would like to believe that I am wiser now than I had been that fateful year I arrived in this country. I have accomplished much; I now have my university degree (with a merit I may proudly add) and I can only thank the kindness of the community I know I belong to.
My university was kind to have let me freely pursue my studies and research to my heart’s content and my religious community in the Catholic Cathedral and Chaplaincy allowed me to feel welcome, know and create meaningful relationships with my fellow parishioners. Most of all, I am grateful to my job for welcoming me with open arms, as before I knew it, I had saved enough to fly back home to see my loved ones.
In these trying times of doubt and bleakness, what can we as Christians do one may ask.
The answer is simple and is as timeless as our lord and saviour’s teachings…let us be kind.
Let kindness be a testament, both to his teachings and our duty to our community.
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