Be kind. Just six letters, two words, but perhaps the most profound and effective rule for social harmony. Our pain, guilt, or anger may rankle us and lead us to scowl at our fellow humans rather than smile, but what short sighted foolishness! Whose heart doesn’t melt a little when receiving a gift of kindness, no matter how minor.
My sister Deena and I, coming from an “industry” family as we did, became cineastes very early. The syndicated show, Million Dollar Movie showed the same classic film every night for a week. We loved watching the important films they programed, but I would often fall asleep before they ended, even before they began. She was deeply moved by Frank Capra’s film Lost Horizon based on a James Hilton novel about a utopian community thriving in a hidden and magical valley deep in the Himalayans. Sam Jaffe, then only in his 40’s, gave an amazing performance as the almost 300 year old High Lama of Shangri La. He offers a heartfelt if simplistic statement of political resistance and hope, explaining that the way of life in Shangri La is based on one rule, be kind.
Deena knew I would love it and for years she would she would try to help me remain awake past 8 o’clock to share it with me. When we finally got to watch it together, I was equally moved. Despite its naiveté, I think the scene above formed a central part of both of our philosophies. She did much better at living according to it’s principals than I have, and if not the panacea for all the worlds evils that we imagined as children, the power of kindness remains one of the most valuable lessons any of us can take to heart. Deena was one of the kindest and most soft hearted people I have ever known. Hundreds of her friends and colleagues agreed and showed up at her amazing Living Wake days before her death to celebrate her extraordinary kindness.
She was my partner in the formulation of these Holly Days, and here on Kindness, the third of the opening trinity, I am honoring my dear departed Deena Lynn Kamala Raven Truitt Smith Gresh Booth. Rest in Joy dear sister!
HOLLY DAYS 