"How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time. Kindness is the gateway for all of us to connect and care for each other."
Morgan Freeman - Actor
Kindness. One little word that can change someone's day, month, year, or even their life.
Kindness makes us feel good, whether we are the one bestowing the kindness upon others, or on the receiving end of an act of kindness ourselves. Kindness, it has been proven, can improve ones self-esteem, empathy and compassion. It can improve mood, decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a hormone directly linked with stress levels. Kindness can increase your sense of connectivity with others, combat loneliness and low mood.
We are often encouraged to, spread kindness. But what does that really mean? Well for one thing, kindness is most certainly contagious, it has a ripple effect encouraging others to join in with their own acts of kindness. Being kind does not have to mean huge, grandiose gestures, in fact, it is often the smaller things that have the biggest lasting impact.
Today is World Kindness Day 2024, and it is an opportunity for us each to reflect on what kindness means to us, and perhaps think about how we can be more mindful of how our actions can potentially light the lives of others.
Sometimes it is hard to know where to start without feeling contrived, so here are some of my favourite ways to create smiles as I go about my day, little things that are easy to make into habits;
Smile at everyone I see
Compliment people on their outfits, hairstyles etc
Thank people, even if they are just doing their job
Hold doors open for people
Bake a cake for someone
Cook an extra meal, such as a lasagne, and take it to my parents
Buy someone a coffee
Give someone a handmade gift
Buy some of my grown up daughters favourite treats for her
Volunteer my time
And of course, lets not forget the most important act of kindness.... be kind to yourself. Always.
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