KINDNESS Is Your Superpower!
“ Pleasant (kind) words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.” Proverbs 16:24
K.I.A. = KINDNESS IN ACTION
“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.” Audrey Hepburn
KINDNESS in action…what does that look like to you? Have you experienced KINDNESS in action before….what happened? How do you show KINDNESS in action? I ask these questions to remind you that sowing seeds of KINDNESS are very simple. Many things in life are free….including KINDNESS whether you are receiving it or giving it. It is free for YOU and for OTHERS.
Kindness is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity, consideration, assistance, or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return.
How would you define KINDNESS? Are you on the lookout for opportunities to show acts of KINDNESS? Kindness is never wasted…if one person rejects it, another will receive it. You never know how your acts of kindness will touch others.
How do you show KINDNESS in action?
HEALTH BENEFITS TO KINDNESS (Giving and Receiving)
Did you know that your kindness has an effect on your brain? Being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that give you feelings of satisfaction and well-being. This causes the pleasure/reward centers in your brain to light up. Did you know that endorphins, which are your body's natural painkiller, also can be released?
KINDNESS DECREASES:
STRESS - Kind people have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population!
ANXIETY - A group of highly anxious individuals performed at least six acts of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant increase in positive moods, relationship satisfaction, and a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals.
BLOOD PRESSURE - Acts of kindness create emotional warmth, which releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure; therefore, oxytocin is known as a “cardioprotective” hormone.
“Kindness is lighting someone else’s torch with your inner flame.”
DO YOU SHOW YOURSELF KINDNESS?
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
It is not just how you treat other people — it is how you extend those same behaviors and intentions to yourself as well. We are good at emotionally and verbally beating ourselves up, and rarely give ourselves a pep talk. Think about it, you wouldn't talk to your best friend the way you sometimes talk to yourself. If you would not say it to your good friend, do not say it about or to yourself.
Show KINDNESS to your past and present – give yourself grace for mistakes or not handling situations correctly.
Forgive yourself.
Place scripture cards or positive quote cards around the house (I use Louise Hay cards)
Kindness Jar – take time to put pieces of paper in a jar with words of kindness on it. Each slip can have ideas for “Kindness in Action” that you can do for others and yourself.
Change the Narrative – encourage yourself. The next time you find yourself saying things like, “I’m such an idiot” or “I messed it all up” change it and say, “I’ve got this”, “I am a good person,” or “I did my best.”
Take time for yourself without guilt - you don’t have to do anything extravagant: sleep in, read a book, have breakfast in bed, or take a long walk. Do something that shows you how much you care about yourself.
What do you admire about yourself – FOCUS on the good. What values and qualities do you like about yourself? What do you aspire to do? Think about the kind of person you want to be (kind, considerate, loving, honest, loyal, etc.).
Gratitude Attitude – create your best mindset on what you are grateful for (past, present, and future). Write 3 – 5 grateful moments each day.
THIS I KNOW… The river of KINDNESS starts with YOU!
HOW WILL YOU BE KIND TO YOURSELF TODAY?
KINDNESS is a sowing and reaping process and REPEAT! Some people struggle to show KINDNESS because of the hurts and wounds of the past. However, I believe much of your healing lies right in the opportunity of you showing KINDNESS (see health benefits above). As you reflect on ways to show KINDNESS, here are some questions to guide you. Which one resonates with you? Don’t forget to show yourself KINDNESS!
What seeds of KINDNESS are you planting today and what harvest would you like to see?
What seeds of KINDNESS are you receiving today?
What seeds of KINDNESS is your team sharing today?
What seeds of KINDNESS are you sharing with yourself today?
What seeds of KINDNESS are you sharing with your family or those people who are close to you?
REMEMBER: KINDNESS starts where you are…doing what you can…with what you have!