A Kind Life

Some people live their entire life with a reputation for being kind. These people have made or are making a difference in the lives of many people. Some are known all over the world for their message of kindness and some are ordinary people known only to the people whose lives they have touched.

Mother Teresa was a nun whose mother taught her to care about poor people. She went to church and prayed. One day she felt the call to become a nun. She was a teacher, then she studied nursing. Mother Teresa started to teach the children of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. She went into the homes of the sick to treat them. A group of her former students joined her and they found men and women dying on the streets because the hospitals refused to treat them. The group became known as "The Missionaries of Charity". They opened schools for poor people and took care of babies and children that had no families. Now, the group has grown and is known all over the world. Mother Teresa is known as the "Angel of Mercy" and she won the Nobel Peace Prize which is an award given to someone who helps bring about peace in the world. She spread her message, "Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger." (Bekah, 2008)

Many inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil remember the lone figure of a man with long hair and a white beard who wore a white coat with inserts full of messages. He was known as "O profeta Gentileza". He felt a divine calling to spread his message. He was called to help the families of an American circus when over 400 were killed in a tragic fire. He believed that a new world should be built from kindness. He had writings on his gown with message of his preachings.The fourth sentence on his gown said, "Kindness is the cure for all ills, love and freedom." (Danielle, 2008)

Dr. Martin Luther King lived a life dedicated to justice and righteousness. Dr. King said, “I have a dream: that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed -- we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”   Dr. King wanted people to treat people fairly not because they had to do it, but because it is the right thing to do. He taught people that laws could be changed using peaceful ways instead of violence. The things he did helped to create laws that made it possible for all people to live better and be treated more fairly. He tried to help others to see that they should ask this question, "What can I do for others?" He knew that it did not matter how well educated you were, or if you had money. In 1964, Dr. King earned the Nobel Peace Prize. He shared this message about serving others, "You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” (Tia, 2008)

"Gentileza Gera Gentileza"(Prophet Gentliza)

Kindness generates kindness