I choose to believe in kindness because I think it’s the most important choice we can make in a world that gives us so many excuses to be cruel. I believe in kindness for the greater good, but also for the way it fortifies our relationships with others, from the people closest to our hearts to members of our communities we will never meet. Choosing kindness is choosing connectedness.
Kindness holds hands with gratitude. One encourages the other. When we are consciously grateful for the kindness bestowed on us by someone else, it sparks a pay it forward cycle.
On days when you’re not feeling the best emotionally, start with gratitude. Gratitude is the grounding force that will remind you of what’s good (no matter how small) and lift you up so that you’re able to pass that goodness onto others. Not being kind is difficult when you’re already feeling grateful.
I want to mention that kindness to others is important, but it’s almost impossible to be authentically kind to others if you are being unkind to yourself. You count. Acting like you don’t is not moving you any closer to happiness. Be mindful of the way you speak to yourself, the time you give yourself to enjoy life, and the amount of time you rest. I’m not saying every day is a treat yourself day. But being kind to yourself internally. Speak kindly to yourself. Remind yourself of how well you’re doing. Remind yourself to keep going. Remind yourself you are worthy.
Self kindness will only increase your kindness towards others and will allow you to go into the world with a softer, more open heart.
Keep your eyes open and you’ll see no shortage of opportunities for kindness that the world is offering you.