Why is important to keep being kind? It can be tempting to take a “look out for number one” attitude and only worry about ourselves. As we can see by this quote, the power of the kindness we do can not only change lives, it can actually save lives. I can’t think of any more powerful reason than that.
Remember to be kind at every opportunity. There are friends, and maybe even strangers who will never forget it.
Here is something that rings true. You will never know the effect of every bit of kindness you have shown. This should not stop you from being kind. On the contrary. It should encourage you to know that you positively impact far more lives than you will ever know. Your actions, be they good or bad, can have a lingering impact years after they were committed.
Knowing that what you say or do can affect people’s lives for years, if not longer, should motivate you to be the best human you can. That small word of encouragement could help someone make it through a trying time years down the road. That harsh criticism can prevent someone from becoming all that they could be.
Knowing this, we should plant all the seeds of kindness, compassion and encouragement we can. We should do so to as many people as we can. We should also guard against speaking negative unless it is absolutely necessary. We make a difference whether we know it or not. Let us make sure it is a good one.
I want to give a shout out to my kind of people. People who are just kind-hearted. Not for the want of getting anything, be that material or favors. No, just kind because that is who they are. It is my sincere hope that we all know people like this.
Do you know what hope I have that is even greater? That at some point, we all become one of those people. I can promise you this – your life is a lot more magical and full of joy the kinder you are to people. People treat you better when you treat them better. You get less stressed. You stress other people out a lot less. People smile more at you when you smile more at them.
With all of this being the case, why would you not want to live a life of kindness? I would love to hear your experience with a kind person and what you think others can do to be a kind person.
I love little messages that make a big difference. Here was the license plate on the car in front of me. What a great reminder to be kind. While we are driving, this can be a vital reminder.
What kind of small things can you think of that would make a big difference? Where are good places to place a message? What are some messages you can think of to share? I would love to hear all your answers in the comments below.
You may be tempted to dismiss today’s post. That would be a huge mistake. In the photo above lays the secret to changing the world. Yes, those little acts of kindness will change the world. I have written several times about the difference some of these acts can make. Think of the shopping cart example. How can returning one shopping cart make a difference? Considering how much danger the ignorant and lazy souls who leave their carts in the middle of the parking lot cause, the difference can be substantial. Even just returning your cart adds up. If you shop once a week, that is 52 carts a year. If you live with a baker like I do, it could be 3 times a week which is 156 carts a year. That is roughly how many carts a grocery store has.
We have written about picking up trash before. Once piece of trash a day makes for 365 pieces a year! If you don’t think that makes a difference, put 365 pieces of garbage in your living room and see how it looks. If you and your best friend do these things, that is 730 pieces of trash! What a cleaner community you would have! Trash and shopping carts are one thing, but people are entirely a different matter. We have discussed how to improve our world with small changes, now let us look at a more direct course of action.
The first suggestion is to tip your server. Tipping these days has become a little over the top. There seems to be an ‘opportunity’ to tip everywhere. It makes me glad there are no longer men’s room attendants. It is just one of a million ways to show small acts of kindness to people. The holiday season is stressful for a lot of people. Especially those in retail. This only creates a great opportunity to show a little kindness. It is also the time that our kindness means the most and will have the greatest impact. Thinking showing kindness to just one person wouldn’t make a difference? It reminds me of the starfish story we wrote about some time ago. In case you did not read that post, or just do not remember the details, the story can be found below.
This holiday season practice as many acts of kindness you can. It is not only a great gift for the world and for others, but it will be a great gift for your own soul. Share any ideas you may have for acts of kindness we can engage in this holiday season.
In a world that often seeks 15 minutes of fame, there is nothing better than to be universally well thought of. How can you do that when everyone speaks a different language? Everyone has different realities and experiences. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a language that everyone here could easily understand?
Great news! There is! It is called kindness. I don’t care what country you are from, or what dialect you speak, do a kind act and you will be well regarded. Doing selfless and kind acts is something that everyone can understand. Better yet, it is something everyone can do!
Today is Friday. We are arriving at the weekend. Everyone has put in a great amount of effort. We all deserve to do a little good for ourselves. How can we accomplish that? By doing good for others in our life. Why is this the best option? Far from giving you some fancy, new age or altruistic answer, let us look at this from a practical angle. There is a reason why doing good for others is the best way to improve our own lot in life. Let us take a look at those reasons now.
When we do good things for others, we give ourselves the good feelings knowing that we have made another’s life better. We also have made that person’s life better, which is certainly good. Here is the end result of doing this time and time again. When we spend our life helping others, each time we get a jolt of good feelings. Every time we help someone else, we add a little joy to their lives. When you do this, people will remember you and the kind acts you have done for them. Suddenly, you will find your life filled with people who have their hearts filled with love and respect for you because you have done good for them.
To recap, you will feel good yourself. You will make others feel good. You will find yourself surrounded by people who hold you in high esteem for being a good soul. All of this will be accomplished by one simple act of kindness. The more you do this, the more powerful it will become. In what ways will you do good for someone today?
Today, in the United States, it is what they call ‘Black Friday’. One of the biggest shopping days of the year. In the past, it was marked with people acting crazy, some even resorting to violence, all in the name of getting a good price on a product. Luckily, that has improved slightly with the online shopping avenue.
Still, as you go out today, remember to be kind. To the workers. They are stressed with being so busy. They are also probably working long hours. There are people shopping who may be feeling sad about being unable to purchase what they really want for their loved ones. There will be people who are stressed because they are just trying to get through the day but it is taking longer than normal because of all the people out and about. Finally, there are people with heavy hearts facing the first holiday after losing a loved one.
You have the power to add a little joy to each of these people’s lives. Use that power today. Each bit of kindness makes the world a better place whether you see it or not.
Yesterday was April Fools Day. Often, this day can leave people feeling belittled or, as the name of the holiday suggests, foolish. I think we should make April second, Random Kindness Day. Not just for those who might be suffering from an April Fools joke that might have hit a little deeper than intended, but from all of those carrying a burden.
We rarely, if ever, know the complete story behind someone’s tears or their smile. We should not have to. There is no such thing as a struggle free life for any of us. There is also no such thing as a person who couldn’t use a little more encouragement. This day, be a little extra kind to everyone you meet. You never know which one of us could use it the most.
On a side note, I’m currently in the country of Jamaica. A lot of people here live at or below the poverty level. If nothing else,I can offer them respect and encouragement. I want to leave each person I meet with a little more joy in their heart than before I came. Shouldn’t that be the goal for everyone of us?
In a crazy work-a-day world, we can often lose ourselves. This weekend, I think we should not only get in touch with our true selves, but turn up the volume on all of the things that make us the amazing people we are.
How can we do that? Take some of the examples in the picture above. Turn up your magic! What does that even mean? We all have a certain magic inside us. This usually manifests as a gift we are naturally blessed with. Maybe we have a great singing voice? Then sing your heart out for all the world to hear! Maybe you enjoy creating art? Make a special gift for someone you love. Maybe you are great at cooking? Invite a friend over for dinner!
What about turning up your kindness? You could find so many ways to do this! Do you find joy in buying a coffee for the stranger behind you in line? Do that! Maybe your kindness is towards animals? Find ways to help our winged and 4-legged friends! Maybe your kindness is the ability to truly listen and allow someone to feel heard? That is such a precious gift!
How can you turn up gratitude? Look at the ideas in the pictures above and below. The more you can turn up your gratitude, the more your life will improve! That is a great bonus of gratitude. Those you express it to feel good, and so do you. It is definitely a win/win situation. For that reason alone, find as many ways to turn up the gratitude as you can this weekend!
Whatever wonderful traits make up you, I encourage you to express more of them this weekend! Remember to always be yourself. Originals are always worth more than copies.
SECRET 2 AN AMAZING LIFE 