Let Kindness Be Your Guide

There’s such a lot being written about kindness these days. Kindness has become the new fashion.

But is it just another trendy fad making influencers and the like look cool? I wonder how many of them are actually practicing kindness throughout their day – or just writing about it or posting a cool meme.

In these times when everyone has strong opinions and there’s so much injustice in the world, it takes more than a few strategically placed pics and quotes to be kind – it takes inner strength and courage.

My dear Mum used to say ‘if you can’t say anything kind, say nothing’. In my mind, when I’m about to say something I know is unkind I use STFU. It works for me – I need constant reminders to not react to all the unkind and cruel things I read, especially on social media. People making judgemental, unkind comments are the new normal. I find this sad.

I find it better for my own health and well-being, mentally, physically and emotionally, to live, as much as possible (and it’s always possible!) through a ‘filter’ of Kindness. Kindness towards all species.

Here’s a few tips to feeling happier and more at peace and become a better human.

KINDNESS:

As you start your day, have an intention to be kind, right throughout your day. You won’t always get it right, but you’ll start to notice more when your thoughts and actions are unkind. Set out to question your daily choices – and make them kind. Change your thoughts and in time, your behaviour changes.

COMPASSION:

When you feel yourself becoming frustrated with yourself or others, practice compassion. Merriam- Webster dictionary lists compassion as ‘sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it’. Everyone is dealing with stuff – that’s life. Sometimes we sail along handling everything calmly and other times we’re feeling overwhelmed. In simple terms – stop, shut your mouth, slow your breathing  and remember my Mum – if you can’t say something kind and compassionate – say nothing.

UNDERSTANDING:

Know that people are doing their best with whatever knowledge, skill and experience they have. Yes, we can all do better, but it’s a process and we don’t learn it all at once – we learn how to be better and do better over a lifetime. It takes calm, conscious thought to be understanding. If you find yourself angry (at yourself or others), try to be more aware of your feelings and the feelings of others. Do you really want to beat yourself (and others) up because you think trying your best isn’t good enough? Humans always, without exception, respond better to understanding, kindness and compassion than to bullying. Bullying creates fear and adds to more anger and can lead to depression.

THOUGHTFULNESS:

Calm down and think – what does that person really need? What do I really need? If people are angry and/or offensive, they’re actually suffering. Could you offer to just listen, let them vent for awhile maybe? Maybe they need to cry, let out their frustrations safely with you simply being there for them, without judgement. Sit with them, make them a cuppa, offer comfort.  The other side of thoughtfulness is letting people know you care, with a simple text, email, message etc. simply saying ‘thinking of you’ or ‘appreciating you’, ‘love you’ (depending on your r’ship with the person).

It all starts with your own awareness. Calm your mind, practice gratitude for all you are and all you have and experience your day through kindness and Every Day Gets Better. 😊❤️