A.A. Malee said “Ah kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul there is love to be found in this world.” Kindness is Everything says this about kindness:
“Kindness is all the different ways — both big and small — we express care, concern, and consideration for ourselves and those with whom we share the world.
Kindness shows up as a supportive smile, a comforting embrace, and a helping hand when we need it the most — but may expect it the least.
It exists as heartfelt words of encouragement, thoughtful gestures of affection, and compassionate acts of generosity so many of us witness, perform, and receive as we move through life.
In a world filled with struggle and pain, kindness is like a deep cleansing breath that rejuvenates us with its purity, refreshes us with its goodness, and gives us the strength to persevere despite our troubles.”
This love in action is packed full of power. It can serve as a force of change for the person receiving an act of kindness AND for the person being kind. Sometimes the simplicity of kindness seems to good to be true. Recently when I was working with one of the clients I counsel in my private practice he said to me “so you are telling me if I do something kind for someone else it will help me mentally and emotionally.” Yes that is how kindness works. Love in action changes you.
“Kindness – loaning someone your strength instead of your weakness.” Unknown
Over the years I stumbled over the realization that when I was dealing with experiences and situations in my life that were painful, hard, and sucked one of the best actions I could take to feel better was doing something for someone else. If I was grocery shopping I would offer to return a shopping cart or let someone ahead of me in line when we arrived at the same lane at the same time in a packed store. I would bake treats for work and when my budget allowed pay for the person behind me when getting coffee to go. An article from the Mayo Clinic based on research in 2020 states: “Being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being, and cause the pleasure/reward centers in your brain to light up. Endorphins, which are your body’s natural pain killer, also can be released.” My actions of doing good for others where helping my brain feel better. Because my brain was feeling better I was more grounded, more positive and better equipped to deal, and heal, from what I was working through.
“Kindness gives birth to kindness.” Sophocles
Sometimes the people we care for the least are ones we try to “justify” not being kind to. I have decided I will treat all with kindness, including those people I do not care for. I made this personal decision because of the type of person I want to be. Martin Luther King Jr. said “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” For me I am choosing love and acting in kindness. All day and at all times, even when it is really, really hard. Begin generous with kindness has made me a healthier, happier, more loving me. Take a moment to reflect upon you. Are you who you want to be, happy with the person you are? If not as you work towards feeling better about yourself add in a heavy dose of kindness towards yourself and kindness towards others. You will be the better for it and so will the world.
May your kindness be with you💜
Here is the Mayo Clinic article: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/the-art-of-kindness#:~:text=Being%20kind%20boosts%20serotonin%20and,killer%2C%20also%20can%20be%20released.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
