Kinder Than Is Necessary

It's all about the kindness.

We are constantly questioning ourselves on whether we have been too kind to people who don't deserve it or if we are being taken for a ride by people who decide to take it for granted.

We all universally accept we are kind. 

This book is seen through the eyes of children. 

This book talks about kindness.

Being kind during any adversity is not easy and does not come naturally to many. 

Through the eyes of children, we as adults learn that kindness starts with us.

A little boy, normal by most standards, a Star Wars fan, a happy family, love and laughter.

And So much pain.

“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” 

I picked up this book, after the movie was released. 

My daughter finished it in a day.

I took my time to savour the characters and understand the pain that being kind brought.

Going through my own worries, this taught me how a boy whose life was a struggle, could face it so calmly, I could do it too.

“Now that I look back, I don't know why I was so stressed about it all this time. Funny how sometimes you worry a lot about something and it turns out to be nothing.” 

Mr. Browne's precepts are something teachers should follow across all schools.

These are amazing truths to live by, so much that a child can bring home and share and get adults to follow as well.

For a 10 year old,living with a deformity, that made people squirm and turn away, to face life and march on, come what may, takes the kind of kindness to oneself way above any level of kindness. 

Just being kind to oneself, makes us kinder towards others. 

“If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary - the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God.” 

Everything we read or see, we associate with our own struggles and lives, so I did with this too. 

I ask myself, when in need of a friend, " Have I been a friend?" Do not seek, unless you have offered. 

“It’s not enough to be friendly. You have to be a friend.” 

The book is so full of wonder! So filled with love, 

This goes out to all of us, who cry and complain about silly mundane stuff, but act like we don't complain, but yet say others always do.

“Its not a contest about whose days suck the most. The point is we all have to put up with the bad days.” 

This is who he is. An ordinary kid, leading an extraordinary life, inspiring others to be kinder than kind.

“It's like people you see sometimes, and you can't imagine what it would be like to be that person, whether it's somebody in a wheelchair or somebody who can't talk. Only, I know that I'm that person to other people, maybe to every single person in that whole auditorium. 

To me, though, I'm just me. An ordinary kid.” 

This is the precept that touches all of us, especially Julian at the end! And what a lovely way to end the story.

“The most important precept is to be aware of WHO WE ARE!

“Who we are,” he said, underlining each word as he said it. “Who we are! Us! Right? What kind of people are we? What kind of person are you? Isn’t that the most important thing of all? Isn’t that the kind of question we should be asking ourselves all the time? “What kind of person am I?

Learning who you are is what your are here to do.” 

And to end:

“There are always going to be jerks in the world, Auggie,” she said, looking at me. “But I really believe, and Daddy really believes, that there are more good people on this earth than bad people, and the good people watch out for each other and take care of each other.” 

I do hope I can be kinder than kind, everyday. The book inspires and makes you want to be that!

Must read for all ages!

―Wonder R.J. Palacio