Kindness really is cool......

According to the dictionary, kindness is ‘the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. But kindness can mean a lot more than that ... 

Kindness can mean different things to different people. The meaning is in how YOU choose to show it. Be it through empathy, acceptance, gestures, thoughtfulness, the possibilities are entirely up to you. Kindness might look like being helpful or showing empathy. It may mean doing nice things without expecting nice things in return. It can be a smile, a wave, letting someone out at a traffic junction, a text message, a card or a phone call, amongst may other things. 

Kindness is more than being nice. Kindness goes beyond merely being nice, although I personally have no issue with being described as nice. Being kind is doing intentional, voluntary acts of kindness. Not only when it’s easy to be kind, but when it’s hard to be. . 

Kindness as a ‘movement’. Has someone ever done something kind for you and all you wanted to do after was pay it forward? Kindness can be a chain reaction, a wave that keeps rolling, and all it needs is one person to start it. If we are all focused on being kind, we are creating a movement of change. A kindness movement can be started from one person acting with intention. When people talk about a ‘ripple’ effect, that is what an act of kindness can do. Even a small, random act of kindness can start a ripple effect and spread into a wider realm, an entire community, workplace, school, building….. 

Kind is love; love is kind. Think about what love entails and what it means to love someone. Well, that’s kindness. It’s being selfless, caring, compassionate, and unconditionally kind. Like love, it takes practice to understand and feel it. We share love with others through kind acts such as a smile, a nice word, an unexpected deed, or a planned surprise. When we offer these acts to others, we make people feel good; we pass along hope; we promote peace; we show the power of kindness. 

Kindness is grace. We are humans, and therefore, we make mistakes. We can be kind in our response to ourselves and others when those mistakes occur. This means thinking before speaking, forgiving before seeking revenge, and thinking about long-term relationships instead of short-term pride. If we could all remember that none of us are perfect, we would be a lot kinder to each other. Offer grace, be kind, to yourself and to others. 

Ten Ways To Be Kind….. 

1. Stop to lend a hand. Open a door for someone, help someone cross the road; all that lovely old fashioned stuff is a great example of a small gesture having a big impact.
2. Spread some beauty. Buy or send flowers, make a card or picture or create another craft that someone you know will appreciate–just because. Hand it or send it to them with the message that you are thinking about them and that you care about them.
3. Double dinner. We all know a friend or family member who can use a break once in a while, especially during the dinnertime rush. Next time you’re making a dish that travels well, double it and bring one to them to lighten their load. More the takeout type? Drop off an extra pizza on your way home. They’ll be delighted to skip a night of cooking.
4. Let a stranger go in front of you in line. Keep your eyes open. Is there a person with just a few items as compared to your trolley load? An older person or a parent and child who might appreciate speeding through? Allow them to go ahead of you to shorten their wait–our greatest asset is our time.
5. Send a kind note to someone. We rush through busy days without paying a lot of attention. Stop and think about someone who you admire or who’s helped you–a teacher, parent, family member, friend or child. Write them a note or a postcard and tell them how you feel. They can keep the note and read it again on a rough day.
6. Clean up. Pick up litter or clean up in your favourite park or public space. Or rake leaves or shovel snow for a neighbour or friend.
7. Pay it forward. Cover the cost of a bill for someone, whether it’s a cup of coffee, lunch at a restaurant, a food shop or a utility bill for someone who’s fallen on tougher times. This can be done on nearly any budget, and encouraging your kids to put money from their personal stash towards the cause can show them the impact of charity.
8. Be kind to siblings, family members or friends. Encourage your family to surprise one another by helping out with day to day tasks. Examples include helping mum or dad with a chore or an older sibling participating in a younger sibling’s game (that they may think is “babyish”). This is a great chance to bring kindness into the family.
9. Go shopping for someone else. The sales can be a perfect time to pick up items that refuges or other organisations might need  and a great chance to teach kids about giving back. Donate it together so they see where it goes.
10. Lead by example: encourage others to be kind by being kind to them. Spread kindness and positivity, don’t judge, show empathy.

 Kindness is very cool!