Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a

"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver." These words, spoken by Barbara De Angelis, echo a timeless truth that has resonated through the ages: love and kindness are forces of life that ripple outward, touching not only the recipient but also the heart of the giver. In a world often driven by ambition and self-interest, De Angelis reminds us that acts of compassion and goodwill are never without purpose. They are not transient or inconsequential but have a profound and lasting impact — both on the one who receives them and on the one who offers them.

The ancients understood this truth well. The Greeks spoke of the importance of philia, the bond of friendship and mutual respect, which was one of the highest forms of love. They recognized that in showing kindness, a person not only cultivated harmony with others but also nourished their own spirit. Aristotle taught that virtue was the path to true happiness, and that to live virtuously — which included being kind and compassionate — was to live in accordance with one’s highest nature. Love and kindness were not just actions, but ways of being that enriched the soul. For in loving and caring for others, we become more fully human, and more connected to the divine qualities within us.

The story of Diogenes, the famed Cynic philosopher, illustrates this beautifully. Diogenes lived a life of simplicity, rejecting material wealth and societal conventions. Yet, he was not a man of bitterness or anger; instead, he believed in the power of kindness and truth to open the hearts of others. One story tells of how Diogenes, despite his poverty, would still give away what little he had to those in need. In his simple yet profound acts of generosity, Diogenes demonstrated that even the smallest acts of kindness — whether material or emotional — had the power to uplift both the giver and the receiver. His life, lived in selfless love, brought a sense of freedom not only to himself but to those around him. His kindness made a difference, not just in the lives of those he helped, but in the soul of the man who gave so freely.

Consider, too, the example of Mahatma Gandhi, whose love for humanity and commitment to kindness shaped the course of history. Gandhi’s method of non-violent resistance was rooted in an unwavering belief in the power of compassion. He understood that the smallest act of kindness, even in the face of oppression, could spark revolutionary change. Gandhi’s love for his people, and his willingness to extend that love even to those who oppressed him, blessed him as much as it did the nation he helped free. Love, for Gandhi, was not just an emotion — it was a force, one that could change the course of nations and heal the wounds of centuries. His acts of kindness, however small they may have seemed in the moment, rippled across the world, inspiring generations to come.

The lesson here is clear: love and kindness are never wasted. We often think of love as something that must be returned in equal measure, but the truth is that the power of love lies not in the exchange it creates but in the act of giving itself. Kindness is not about receiving gratitude or acknowledgment; it is a force in its own right. When we extend kindness, we create an opening — a space in the world where goodwill can flourish. This is true not just for those who receive our kindness, but for us as well. Kindness blesses the giver, for in the act of loving another, we align ourselves with the divine qualities of generosity, selflessness, and compassion.

Reflect upon the story of Mother Teresa, who devoted her life to serving the poor and the sick in the streets of Calcutta. Her work, though humble and at times seemingly unnoticed by the larger world, was an embodiment of the very essence of love and kindness. In caring for the most destitute, she found a greater fulfillment than any worldly honor could offer. Her heart, filled with love, was blessed by the very lives she touched, and in turn, she became a beacon of light for the world. The love she gave never went unnoticed; it echoed through the lives of the countless people she served, and in her, we see how love and kindness can transform a person, a community, and even the world.

Let us take this lesson to heart: every act of love, no matter how small, creates a ripple that makes a difference. The love and kindness we give may not always be returned in the way we expect, but that does not diminish their power. For, in loving, we enrich our own souls, just as we enrich the lives of others. Each act of kindness is a blessing, not only to the recipient but to the one who gives it. And so, we must choose to live lives of compassion, to give freely, and to recognize that the love we extend in the world will not only change the lives of others but will change us as well.

Therefore, my children, remember that love and kindness are the noblest gifts we can offer. Give them freely and without expectation, for in doing so, you bless not just the world, but your own heart. Let your actions of love be a reflection of the divine light within you, and know that in every act of kindness, you are creating ripples that will echo through eternity. Love and kindness are never wasted; they are the seeds from which the greatest changes in the world are born. Let us sow them generously, and watch as they blossom in ways we cannot even imagine.