So, you don’t know what to do? TRY this: KINDNESS!

Did I just hear an audible laugh?! Seriously, when in doubt, life is better with kindness than without! Kindness is essential to wellness. Whether it’s a crisis, unexpected chaos or sharp outburst of anger/rage…don’t retaliate in kind – well, unless, “kind” is nice.

Did you know, the original meaning of kindness, according to Oxford Dictionary, is “kinship; near relationship; natural affection arising from this”? Acting kindly and showing affection as Caregivers and partners to those close to us can bring immediate and long-term positive results to stressful, difficult, traumatic situations. Kindness helps improve any situation, even with those not so close to us.

Please try it. It really works.

“The practice of being or the tendency to be sympathetic and compassionate, gentle, benevolent, thoughtful, considerate, helpful, generous, hospitable.”  Simply put: Don’t be Cruel!

Here’s a wise saying: 

“One Kind Word Can 

Warm Three Winter Months!” 

or

“One Small Kindness can go a Loooooooooooooooooooooooong Way!”

How far do you need to go? Kindness makes the ride that much sweeter and tolerable.

Brrrr, are you having a figuratively “cold” “icy” day? Take the initiative to “warm” things up and do something kind for someone else. You’ll feel better in the process! Don’t let whatever it is make you bitter – let it make you better.

Life is way too complicated. Sometimes, a simple solution – kindness – works best. You can improve your life and the lives of those around you and in your care by being pleasant and kind. Look and make opportunities now.  You will be rewarded in unexpected, amazing ways later. Try it, you’ll like it.*

Think back to a time when you experienced an unexpected, undeserving, surprisingly kind, generous word or deed. Remember that feeling – capture it and give it to someone else. Make their day beautiful. It’s not costly; perhaps just a smile!

“There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” 

Thank you for practicing kindness! It’s like a whimsical butterfly fluttering by, bringing beauty near – reachable! I am thankful for the butterflies in my life!

I like this quote. I hope you do, too:

*

“Kind words, kind looks, kind acts and warm handshakes, these are means of grace when men in trouble are fighting their unseen battles.”

The following Elvis song is appropriate for this post. “Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true…Baby, it’s just you I’m thinking of.” 

Kindness means thinking of the other person, unselfishly putting someone else ahead of yourself. WOW, did I just hit the proverbial (selfish) nail on the head? Oops, I whacked a thumb, too. It’s OK, the swelling will go down…in time, with practice.

Let’s be honest and admit it; humans are born selfish. Let’s take responsibility for our own selfishness and the sad, cruel consequences it can bring to our lives and to those around us. As Caregivers and partners, we are on a journey together: 

Learning to be LESS SELFISH means learning to be MORE KIND! 

Things world-wide and at home would be better if everyone chose to BE KIND! Can you be kinder today to someone? Yes, you can…cause you are one of a kind!

“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

photo credit: gbohne

photo credit: mrsdkrebs

photo credit: Defence Images

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    Last reviewed: 22 Jul 2012