Kindness is Power

June 1, 2018

Kindness is Power

A casual exploration of what kindness actually is, and how you can easily use it to improve your life and the lives of others.

Let’s start this journey with a little self-talk.

Do you want to be happy?

Yes, right?

Do you want others to be happy?

Probably yes too, right?

Do others want you to be happy?

…

A little hesitation on that one, huh? Maybe even a no?

Well it’s not true!

Just like you want others to be happy, they want the same for you.

After you read this article, you’ll be motivated to create a small shift to bring more kindness into your life, and the lives of others.

The power of a simple act of kindness is already within you.

Over the last 20 years, researchers have been studying what has been termed “positive psychology,” an analysis of how uplifting emotions like gratitude, love, joy, and inspiration affect our wellbeing and literally improve our lives.

What’s incredible is these emotions are already within us; it’s just a matter of whether or not we take intentional action to express them.

One of the easiest ways to do this is through performing acts of kindness.

So what is kindness anyway?

Kindness simply is a positive action that leaves someone in a better situation than before.

It doesn’t have to be as extravagant as paying for someone’s surgery or spending hours and hours volunteering.

Literally, it can be anything.

A smile. Hold the door open for another. Bring food to someone. Pay for the person in line behind you. Connect with a stranger. Say ‘I love you’ to someone close.

Even treating yourself to a night out, getting a pedicure, or a massage are all acts of kindness.

Yes, that’s right, you can, and should, be kind to yourself too!

So often we hold back from being kind because we don’t know what to do or we don’t think our actions will make an impact, but they do! The research proves this.

What’s important is to just take action no matter how small.

To get you started take a look at some awesome ideas from Kindness.org and the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Wow! Kindness is easier than I thought, but what’s the point?

I’m glad you asked, kindness not only benefits others, but it also improves your life as much or more!

The science shows that some of the benefits of kindness are:

• Improved immune system functioning
• Decreased stress levels
• Feelings of meaning and purpose
• A sense of connectedness

Super cool, right?

Check out these awesome cases of kindness in practice.

The Good Cards: The Good Cards is a modern day version of the Pay it Forward movement that uses technology for good. With a mobile app and a physical Good Card, users are able to do good deeds, share their positive stories, and inspire others to join in the action all while being able to track the ripple effect of kindness that happens around the world in a fun and meaningful way.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Nowadays in schools, a shift in our standardized education has started to incorporate more curricula that addresses emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and positive psychology. By doing this, we are creating micro-habits of kindness with our youth; empowering them to not only be the leaders of tomorrow, but to be the ‘Kindness Leaders of tomorrow.’

Rotary International: In over 35,000 communities around the world, Rotary has created a space for neighbors to come together and help their communities flourish. Whether it’s raising funds for a local not-for-profit, doing an environmental cleanup, or engaging students in service learning, Rotary is empowering people globally to be a force for good.

Okay, I’m ready to put kindness into ACTION!

You’re all set.

Now you can see how powerful kindness actually is and how simple it is to do.

Once you start, you’ll create a ripple effect that’ll inspire people all around you to spread kindness too.

Remember with The Good Cards you’ll be able to track that impact as you inspires kindness around the world.

Don’t be shy, share with us, what’s one kind act you plan to do today?

For further reading here’s a few neat articles:

https://novoresume.com/career-blog/volunteering-health-benefits

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2015/06/23/wired-for-kindness-science-shows-we-prefer-compassion-and-our-capacity-grows-with-practice/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.c0fd7c8b608e

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/5_ways_giving_is_good_for_you

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pieces-mind/201712/the-importance-kindness

https://www.doyou.com/25-ways-to-be-kind-88843/