This week is the last of a three part series on Kindness, it’s value to us health wise and building or expanding on the kindness you already extend to others.
How might one build a routine of Kindness? If you create a kindness routine it will be easier to sustain habits of kindness. Habits don’t just happen. They take time to establish. Similar to physical activities such as exercising, walking, etc. a consistent and meaningful habit of intentional or random acts of kindness can be established over time by: Doing something you enjoy, Keeping others in mind, Doing something for a good cause and by being authentic.
It’s called Random Acts of Kindness. Planned acts of kindness are commendable and important but spontaneous or random acts are truly special. They aren’t pre-planned or done out of obligation. Don’t overthink or strategize. Random acts are powerful; they aren’t expected. Spontaneous acts benefit both the giver and receiver.
Kindness creates a sense of happiness and fulfillment. It’s a glue that helps society function and maintain civility. Random acts increase happiness in both givers and receivers but typically givers undervalue their positive impact on recipients. For the receiver a spontaneous act of kindness can lead to hope and acts as a reminder that goodness does still exist in the world. Receivers are often inspired to “pay it forward”, creating a domino effect of goodwill.
In our daily life we can look around and be observant of our surroundings. Look for opportunities to help, compliment, or support others without overthinking. Just do it if it feels right.
Share a friendly greeting, offer to pay for someone’s coffee at the coffee shop, cut a neighbors grass when they are gone and the grass is getting tall like a neighbor did for me and my husband one time. Helping older acquaintances with simple chores around their home when you see they need help makes everyone feel good. My parents told me one time that our family coming to their home to get their yard ready for spring was one of the most thoughtful gifts we could have given them.
There are a million and one things we can do to show true kindness and it doesn’t usually take much, not even money. Make someone’s day brighter!
