Experiencing Kindness Beyond Price Tags

We live in a world where expressing kindness is expected to be about giving out items to people which isn't a bad thing because a lot of people need these materials things. But for me, I believe that expressing kindness doesn't end with just giving material things to people.

If I choose giving material things as the only way of expressing kindness to people, it means I can't help people frequently because it's not every day I will have the money to buy gifts but there are a whole lot of things I can do for people every day without inconveniencing myself or spending a dime.

A few days ago, my brother said he wanted to purchase a birthday gift for someone and he was confused about what to get the person. I asked why and he said, "It has to be expensive, something of good value."

I asked what something of good value means to him and he started mentioning some items. I had to let him know that the value of a gift given from the heart isn't measured by the price of the item. He eventually got a frame, he captured the picture of this friend while she was busy sewing in her shop and framed it. It meant a lot to her that she hung it in her shop because it was beautiful and I also got a surprise that made me happy, it's just priceless to me.

_{He also made a frame of my court wedding picture}

A lot of us mistake value for the price when it comes to giving gifts, I do tell people that you can give people an expensive gift and it wouldn't hold much value to them just because it doesn't meet their needs. Giving gifts for me means meeting the needs of someone at a particular time.

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Imagine buying a Rolex wristwatch for a homeless person, will the wristwatch accommodate him? The answer is "NO". In the end, he might misplace or sell the wristwatch at a terrible value and use it for whatever is important to the person at that time. I refer to my act of giving as a mindful type because I try to meet people's needs when reaching out to them, the gift must serve a significant purpose.

I am always willing to be of help to people as long as I am in the position to do it and this has made me famous wherever I find myself. I am open to helping kids with assignments, stationeries and adults in different ways that wouldn't need me to break the bank.

Among the ways I express kindness is by listening attentively to people when having a serious conversation with me.

There are conversations I take unseriously though but I know people who value it a lot whenever I pay attention while they talk to me. Paying proper attention to them makes them feel valued and it helps me come up with the perfect response for them.

There is a widow in my neighborhood, her husband died last year and it was really a terrible experience. I know the deceased to be a very good man and wish I could always support the family whenever I have enough to do so. A few months after the man died, I went to get something from the woman's shop and noticed that her eyes were red.

I felt concerned and asked if she was feeling alright. She said yes but before I left there, she said a lot of things to me. She was having some challenges and even though I didn't have a solution, just showing concern lightened up her mood. I gave her advice and even shared some personal experiences with her.

Weeks passed, and she told me about the progress on the issue and how her first son got admitted into the university. We spoke about the admission and I also gave her some advice. I noticed that a lot of people were just being friends with the family because of how the deceased helped them with material things and now that he is gone, the woman barely gets people to talk to.

This act of listening attentively to people has made many of them confide so much in me that they share their personal life issues without hesitation.

Offering words of encouragement is another way I express kindness even though many people don't see it that way. A simple well-done or prayer can lighten up someone's mood or even go as far as inspiring them to have a great day.

In my environment, it would be rare for you to see a scavenger who doesn't greet me and it all started with complimenting their hard work in the hot weather because I feel a lot for them, they are going through a lot.

I don't have money to give to every scavenger I see but just simple greetings and genuine compliments mean a lot to them.

"How is work?" "How is sales?"
"How is family?" "Well done"

These are just simple statements I say to them and they value it a lot. Complimenting people makes them feel valued and I know this because I feel that way when people compliment me as well. I love to give sincere compliments and it makes a lot of people happy when you do these things. Recently some of these scavengers sat outside my compound because of the sun and I offered them cold water after exchanging pleasantries.

Till today, they always call me "Baba" which means father. Although I am not a father yet but it makes me happy to see others happy.

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Focusing on meaningful interactions, meeting people's needs, and offering genuine support, helps me make a positive difference in the lives of those around me and all these things help me a lot most especially in mental health.

_{All Image Belong To Me}

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