1) Being kind is not always easy…in fact, sometimes, it’s damn near impossible. Do it anyway. Struggling? Stop. Breath. Count to 10 then act or speak.
2) Being kind is not the same as being weak. Meanness and cruelty are for the weak. Revenge and anger are for the weak. Love, compassion, kindness and support to those that, from all outward appearances, should receive otherwise? That takes strength and courage.
3) Being kind feels great. Yes, it’s selfish motivation, but there it is. Holding a door for a stranger can make you feel good and brighten someone else’s day. It really doesn’t take much.
4) Being kind is contagious. When’s the last time someone did something nice for you and you immediately thought “Screw that jackass! Now I’m pissed! I’m going to go throw rocks at the elderly.” Nope. It doesn’t work that way. More often than not you’ll pass the kindness along…like a kindness flu…or you will, at the very least, smile and be thankful for the courtesy you were extended.
5) Practice makes perfect. The more you practice kindness, the more it will become second nature. An easy place to start? The basics: “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome” and “excuse me.” The quickest way to show respect is to use these words. There’s no excuse to not use them. It’s called common courtesy for a reason.
Kisses & Chaos,
Alli Woods Frederick
image credit: in the end, only kindness matters by Jennifer | Kindness Print by Alli Woods Frederick
