practice kindness everyday

Here are some inspiring resources for those on the quest for kindness!

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
http://www.actsofkindness.org/people/

The Australian Kindness Movement
http://www.kindness.com.au/

Extreme Kindness
http://www.extremekindness.com

“When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.”

- Abraham Joshua Heschel 4 years ago

I learned something interesting about kindness – I already knew it – but it kind of hit me between the eyes this time. Kindness is an attitude not an act. Here’s the thing, I said something unkind about a person who has been frustrating me – only to find out later how difficult her life has been lately. I didn’t know this. Had I taken the principle of kindness to heart I wouldn’t have made the unkind remark. I would have given her the benefit of the doubt. I might have been warmer when interacting with her.

It’s easy to treat those who are nice to us kindly – but what about those who are not? Am I moralizing? I suppose so – but imagine a world where people are unconditionally kind to each other. Isn’t it better to spread sunshine rather than gloom? 4 years ago

Sure, I do things for people everyday, but that’s not what I’m on about here! Life is busy and sadly most often I do things for others by rote and routine. Practicing real kindness everyday however is acting purposely and with heart! Here’s what I mean-

Doing something for others by rote and routine:
-cooking my husband a meal
-walking the dogs
-weekly phone call to lonely mother
-listening to a stressed colleague
-welcoming a visitor at church

Practicing kindness on the other hand, looks like this:
-cooking my husband his favorite meal
-walking the dogs and stopping at the park to play
-sending a thoughtful greeting card with photos to my mother
-making a cup of tea for a stressed colleague & taking time for a good chat
-inviting the visitor home for a meal!

That’s the difference! Acts of real kindness involve a little extra time, effort and thought. That’s what makes them special I guess! 4 years ago