I don't often pay much attention to the proclamations or declarations telling us that it is this or that national day. Many of these are corporate attempts to sell things and distract us from more important tasks at hand. I do make exceptions, and I'm doing that today.
A reader of this blog sent me an e-mail from The Naked Mind and Annie Grace. I deeply appreciate the emphasis on sobriety and healthy lifestyles that I found there. The e-mail that was forwarded to me contained the following:
Yes, so many of you show me every day that there still is so much kindness in the world! Yet, we all know that we learn best through repetition so here are five more ways to be kind (when it counts!)
1) Filter it
I’m a firm believer in freedom of speech but I’m an even stronger believer of thinking before you speak! Consider your language choice. Ask if you’d speak to a child the way you’re going to talk to someone else. Take a moment to think about the intent behind what you’re going to say. Even if you have to literally bite your tongue and walk away to avoid commenting, sometimes that IS the best course of action and a way to be kind!
2) Listen more
Make a conscious effort to listen more than you speak. Sit back and allow people to talk. Learn from them, bond with them, and allow them to feel heard. Listening is truly the kindest thing we can do for another person.
3) Do the things that bring others joy
We often only do the things we want to or that benefit us. Yet the greatest personal rewards come from being of service to others. Small acts of kindness make a huge difference. I have a friend whose elderly mother loves to play a certain game. It’s a game my friend will never play in her free time or even suggest but she takes the time to play at least 2-3 games with her mom when she visits simply to bring her mom joy. Is that not the epitome of kindness?
4) Show compassion (even when they don’t deserve it)
The people who are the least kind themselves are probably those that need it the most. Show compassion and kindness even when someone does not deserve it. We are not at our best when we are hurting. I know I wasn’t. And I know that there were no outside indicators to show just how I was suffering. It is true that we don’t know what someone else is going through and our kindness and compassion might be a huge step in their own healing.
5) It starts with you!
The best way to practice kindness and have it become second-nature is by learning to show yourself kindness first. Practice positive self-talk, self-compassion, setting boundaries, and respecting yourself, your body, and your beliefs!
It really is cool to be kind!
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