Authentic Kindness Tips Can Help Improve Our World
Ever feel like you could be kinder, here are some tips to help
Between 2020 & where we now stand in 2021 to say that it has been rough, is an understatement! (Thanks Captain Obvious.)
Do you feel like you are a kind person? It certainly has been tough to be kind lately. But most people would likely answer yes to this question. But these same people can probably look back at previous times, Pre pandemic to now, and specifically point out things that they would handle differently. I am sure we can all look back and remember times when we should have been thinking about the needs of others more.
1. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You have likely heard this phrase before, it is after all — the golden rule. At least, it should be! Why wouldn’t you adhere to this phrase? It’s so simple in meaning, and yet, people still don’t follow it. If you use only one tip, let it be this one.
2. Know what kindness means. Before you can be kinder, it’s important to know what it means. Kindness can mean different things to different people. One definition that works well can be found when you search for the meaning on Google: “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” I think we can all agree, that definition is as good as any.
3. Be genuinely kind. People mistakenly believe that spewing out compliments is the way to be kind. However, when you don’t mean what you say, that isn’t a compliment at all. It could end up hurting the person you are providing the false compliment to. For instance, if you tell someone they look good and then talk badly behind that person’s back, that could come back to haunt you. It’s better to say nothing than to give false compliments.
4. Be exuberant and positive. When you have a negative attitude, you won’t be as likely to extend kindness to others. On the other hand, you’ll find that being kind is much easier to accomplish when you stay positive.
5. Set a good example. Leaders know that you will have a much easier time getting people to follow you when you lead by example. If you treat people kindly and fairly, then those that look up to you will do the same. So, not only will you be a kinder person, you will make the world around you kinder as well.
6. Walk a mile in other people’s shoes. If you have never heard this phrase or something similar, where have you been? Looking at life from someone else’s perspective, it is easier to empathize with them. Before you judge someone in an unkind manner, think about their circumstances and how you’d feel in the same scenario.
7. Listen More. Taking the time to listen more is one of the kindest things you can do. Sometimes people just need someone to vent to, and while it might not be the most enjoyable thing, it will certainly help the person who is doing the venting.
Express It. Kindness only really counts when you express it. Be authentic when you say thank you when you let people know you appreciate them, and also remind them that you are there to help. Make an effort to express appreciation as often as you can.
So, as you know, if you have read any of my previous articles, and I hope you have, I usually provide some type of action steps. Here we go!
Tell one person how much they mean to you, and why you appreciate that they are a part of your life.
The next time someone pisses you off — back away from the situation and take some time to think. Reflect on if there was anything you could have done differently. Try to put yourself in their shoes. If you start to see where they are coming from, then reach out and let them know.
Grab your favorite calendar app on your phone, (mine is Google) and type in the birthdays of everyone you know. When it gets close to their birthdays, (set notifications for a week in advance) send them a birthday card. You’d be surprised how much this will mean to these people.
Perhaps if we all start doing just one of the above tips or action steps daily, we can start to change our world around us. Like the bumper sticker says, “Practice random acts of kindness.”
PS… Before you go, please check out these fantastic writers and friends! Donna L Roberts, Ph.D. (Psych Pstuff), Phil Truman Joan Kent, Ph.D. Terry Mansfield, Penofgold, Less Doing, Ryan Seacrest, Dayton Parks, Thewriteyard, Lena Lee, Jake Penningsworth, Jonah Angeles, Agnus Lauriano Adelia Ritchie, Ph.D., Dr. Preeti Singh, Mario Batali, ✌TJ Parker, Liam Ireland, Genius Turner, Linda Halladay, Tim Maudlin, Jeff Herring, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz Ada LLoyd, Roger Himes Esq. Mario López-Goicoechea Dejan Stojanovic Nenad Vicovac
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