Kindness is a generosity of the soul. It comes out when we give of ourselves and our time to be of assistance to others, without demanding for anything in exchange. If you show kindness to someone, you bring forth the best in you, as well as a side-effect of brightening up somebody else's day would be to feel more pleased in the moment yourself.
Pay attention to the impact your behavior has on others, and notice your own feelings in association to their reactions. And think about how you feel yourself when somebody else shows you kindness. What you give comes back to you in even greater quantity. When you are kind, you not only get an immediate payback in terms of a feel-good factor, you will also receive kindness from others, and in completely unexpected and unrelated ways.
It's so simple to find ways to be kind to others: say something encouraging whenever you instinctively feel someone needs to hear it; provide help even without being asked for it; smile encouragingly; swallow your criticisms; listen without judgment; let mistakes slide rather than setting blame; make small sacrifices for the good of someone in greater need.
A great rule of thumb I apply to my life is to do unto others as I'd have them do unto me, and, do unto myself as I'd do unto others. The latter part is just as important as the first. It is no good to be consistently kind to others and forget to be so to yourself. You will run out of steam, and feel less able to show kindness to others if you don't replenish your own mind, body and spirit on a regular basis.
Being kind to yourself means having your needs met, being gentle on yourself rather than critical when you feel you aren't working at the best, forgiving yourself if the need arises rather than beating yourself up. When you are into the habit of treating yourself with kindness, it will be easier to extend that consideration and behavior to others.
Pay attention to the impact your behavior has on others, and notice your own feelings in association to their reactions. And think about how you feel yourself when somebody else shows you kindness. What you give comes back to you in even greater quantity. When you are kind, you not only get an immediate payback in terms of a feel-good factor, you will also receive kindness from others, and in completely unexpected and unrelated ways.
It's so simple to find ways to be kind to others: say something encouraging whenever you instinctively feel someone needs to hear it; provide help even without being asked for it; smile encouragingly; swallow your criticisms; listen without judgment; let mistakes slide rather than setting blame; make small sacrifices for the good of someone in greater need.
A great rule of thumb I apply to my life is to do unto others as I'd have them do unto me, and, do unto myself as I'd do unto others. The latter part is just as important as the first. It is no good to be consistently kind to others and forget to be so to yourself. You will run out of steam, and feel less able to show kindness to others if you don't replenish your own mind, body and spirit on a regular basis.
Being kind to yourself means having your needs met, being gentle on yourself rather than critical when you feel you aren't working at the best, forgiving yourself if the need arises rather than beating yourself up. When you are into the habit of treating yourself with kindness, it will be easier to extend that consideration and behavior to others.
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