Be kind whenever possible.  It is always possible.
~Dalai Lama

I wish I could live by the rules that the Dalai Lama lives by.  I'm not that good.  I am not always kind.  I try.  I think I do a fair job most of the time. 

But what does it mean to be kind? 

Dictionary.com give this:

kind
adjective,-er, -est.


1.of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person.

2.having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence: kind words.

3.indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often fol. by to): to be kind to animals.

4.mild; gentle; clement: kind weather.

5.British Dialect. loving; affectionate.
 
 
In my mind, I define "kind" as being nice, considerate, helpful.  All the things I was taught to be as a small girl.  I can't count the number of times I heard "Be nice" when I was growing up.  It usually involved letting someone else have their way and giving up wanting my own.  As a result, I don't often insist on my own way and often let others have theirs.  It feels bold to insist on doing MY thing MY way.  And slightly bad.  I do it more now as an adult than I did as a child (well, I get away with it more now). 
 
I am in a job where being kind to people is almost a prerequisite.  I work with people who are (in some cases) so damaged by their illness that it has changed their lives.  They're just looking for someone to help them feel stable.  So often, it only takes a kind word, a smile and an acknowledgement that you have "seen" them.  Fortunately, my coworkers are wonderful.   I have seen them all give the gift of kindness to people who see precious little of it in their lives.  One of my clients once said to me, "I love coming here.  I know when I walk in the doors, people will treat me with respect and I can relax.  I actually go ahhhh when I come in". That made me feel really good because that's what we strive for.  (I go aaahhhhh when I walk OUT of the building but that's a different story.)
 
I'm finishing up the week's work and getting ready for the weekend.  No big plans or anything even remotely exciting.  We're heading for the gym and then home for dinner and a movie.  Zombie Strippers.  Jealous?  You should be.  Who wouldn't want to watch a movie about a stripper who becomes a zombie and is so popular that all the other strippers want to be zombies, too?  Tomorrow and Sunday will be chores around the house and the yard, some knitting.  You know, life. 
 
And it's great.