Two words that are used interchangeably but with slightly different connotations are the words kind and nice. They hold similar meanings but perhaps the personal definitions are dissimilar by a few degrees. Would you rather be called a kind person or a nice person?

Nice

Nice is being agreeable and pleasant. A nice person obeys the etiquette of being respectful. This person doesn’t want to stir the pot or to have any trouble. They may provide help and do helpful gestures. Their motives may be surface level in avoiding contention. A nice person may not be a kind person. Niceness is the rung just above politeness and below kindness.

Kind

Kind is being loving and generous. A kind person’s actions are motivated by love and a desire to support the other person. While they may not want contention it is love that drives them. A kind person may not always be nice because the motivation isn’t to always be conflict free but to practice love. Kindness is the rung just below charity.

There are times when I am truly able to be kind. Love is the fuel moving me along. Then there are other times when the tank is dry and all I have to offer is surface level niceness. So, when I see the admonition to “be kind” I am seeing that as a challenge to level up. Fill up my tank with love. That will help me practice being a kind person. Which would be a rather good thing to be remembered for in the end.