You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

When is it too late?  The second you don’t say something or do something is when it is too late.  A kind word or gesture costs nothing, so why wait to do it or say it?  Because if you wait too long, it may be too late.

I had a chance to do something kind or somebody once, but I didn’t.  It wasn’t convenient for me, and that person passed away two days later.  Not because of what I didn’t do.  In fact, my not doing the kind gesture had nothing to do with the passing of that person, but it has eaten away at me for the past 29 years.  That’s when it’s too late.

Say the kind word, or perform the kind gesture.  Don’t wait, don’t hesitate. Do it as soon as the opportunity presents itself. You never know if your kind word may be the only nice thing a person has heard all day.  Your kind gesture may be the first sign of kindness someone has seen in months. Reach out to people around you.  When is it too late?  The second you wait, it’s too late.