Being Kind

 

   Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.  While kindness has the connotation of meaning someone is naïve or weak, that is not the case.  Being kind often requires courage and strength.  This is especially true if the person to whom you are trying to extend kindness to is one of a cantankerous nature.  At times patience and fellow-feeling must be maintained in your goal of showing kindness to others.

      It might surprise you to hear that being kind isn’t just good for the other person, it’s good for YOU too!  Skeptical?  There is good scientific evidence to show that living up to the adage found at Matthew 7:12 of doing unto others as you would have them do to you is one of the best things you can do for yourself!  It lowers your blood pressure, improves your mood, and acts as a natural anti-depressant by boosting the serotonin levels in your brain.  There are many wonderful effects for YOU by being truly kind. (https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/the-art-of-kindness#:~:text=Good%20for%20the%20body,be%20healthier%20and%20live%20longer.)

 

     So, what can you do to stay in the right frame of mind to be kind?  After all, being kind isn’t always easy.  Some days you want to grit your teeth and just complain about the world.  And there are some people it’s tough to be kind to (as I mentioned above).  How can you change your approach to life to be as kind as you can?  Here are three truths to remember when you’re tempted to be unkind.

 

Remember what you can control and what you can’t

 

     It’s a fact of life that other people can be rude, thoughtless, irritating, and even mean.  They have opinions you don’t agree with.  You can’t change or control any of that.  But you can control how you react.   Kindness is always the best option for you and the other guy.  Take a deep breath, count to ten, and bite back that retort or putdown.  Practice being kind and soon it will become second nature.  You really CAN change how you respond to the actions of others.   

https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/josh-linkner/2020/11/14/changing-your-response-others-can-boost-well-being/6285854002/

 

Anger doesn’t  help

 

     Reacting with anger doesn’t do anything to resolve a bad situation.  Anger makes you feel terrible.  It’s likely to escalate things and won’t get you the result you want.  Even worse, anger can lead to all sorts of physical problems, from headaches to high blood pressure, sleep problems, and digestive issues.  A lifetime habit of anger can even lead to a stroke or a heart attack.  Recognize the potential to get angry and take a step back.  Never forget --- YOU are the person who controls your response.  There are ways you can deal with angry people. 

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/dealing-with-angry-people.htm

 

Kindness is always the right option

 

     Whatever the situation, you will never go wrong if you’re kind.  Kindness also makes you an inspiring leader, a role model for others.  Making the choice to be kind in the face of frustration, even provocation, shows that conflict is not inevitable.  Giving in to childish feelings of needing to be right or get what you want all the time is easy.  But it breeds discontent and won’t win you any friends.  At times you may need to remind yourself that kindness is the right thing to do.  “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” [Jackie Chan]  You may like to read more quotes.  https://www.ftd.com/blog/celebrate/kindness-quotes

 

     Kindness breeds a more detached attitude to life, it encourages positive emotions and will help to make you and the people around you calmer, happier, and more energized.  Even when  others don’t see things the way you do, or react in the manner you feel they should, being  kind will always help the current situation.  But don’t forget --- we’re only human!

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"The kindness you express today,

comes back to you tomorrow."