I have read so many wonderful Mother’s day posts, that I’m now inspired to write one of my own.

Years ago, when my sister moved to a new neighborhood in Bangalore, she had a major problem. The street dogs there were so Vicious, she was scared to walk her Dog. Even Trooper, who was usually full of bravado, would tuck his tail and stick close to her during their short walks when the road was temporarily clear. We love street dogs—Trooper was also born on the streets, but these dogs still scared her a lot.

And then mom visited her. A week later, she asked my sister to walk Trooper along with her. To my sister’s surprise, the stray dogs were calmer and some even approached them eagerly.

“How is this possible?” she wondered aloud.

Mom said, “These poor street dogs are hungry all the time. On top of it, people throw stones at them. I gave them some Parle-G biscuits every time they saw me.  At first, I threw them at a distance, then they slowly understood I’m not a threat and came closer. Now they know I’m a friend and you too, by association. There is always something that will improve a bad situation.”

We then looked around and understood the vicious cycle of reactivity. We didn’t know who started it, but the humans were reacting to vicious street dogs by mean to them, and the dogs were reacting to vicious humans by being mean to them, and the cycle went on. Conversely, we also noticed that in neighborhoods where humans were kinder, the dogs were friendlier too.

Mom had found the way to break the cycle—an act of kindness that didn’t expect any reciprocation. She managed to earn the dogs’ trust by being patient and consistent. It was a huge lesson in taking control of a tough situation through kindness.

Over time and many Parle-G packs later, my sister no longer had to worry about the street dogs and some even became good friends.

By acting in kindness instead of reacting to the situation, we can break the vicious cycle of reactivity.

There is always something that will improve a bad situation. We just have to find it, and be brave enough to try.

Thanks Mom!