Commitment to Kindness Becomes a Way of Life
Continue to be who and how you are,
to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness.
Maya Angelou
When we make the choice to live with kindness, we are choosing a way of life that invites us to think differently about how we meet each day. That choice brings with it a commitment to start where we are and to be more aware of opportunities to be kind as we go through our day.
Planting Seeds
Every act of kindness is like a seed we are planting in our world, knowing that each one helps to create the kinder world that we envision. Often, we receive immediate feedback in the form of a smile or a pleasant comment in return, but sometimes, we do not get a response. It is helpful to remember that we are planting seeds, and seeds need time to grow.
We are all planting seeds of some kind, and we get to decide what kind of seeds we’re planting. When we choose seeds of kindness, in time, we will reap an abundant harvest in our lives, but we won’t see the many others who will benefit in their lives from the seeds that we planted.
Commitments to Ourselves
As we keep planting those seeds, it is helpful to develop habits that support expanding the reach of our kindness practice. We can make commitments to ourselves:
To look for opportunities to be kind:
A key to a satisfying kindness journey is staying conscious of the people around us. When we stay present in the moment, we notice the people around us and we can see ways to respond to them with kindness.
It may be as simple as smiling and acknowledging someone or making a pleasant comment. It might be inviting someone behind in line to go ahead of us or stepping up to help someone by opening a door or carrying something for them. It may, at times, require more of us.
We get to decide in every encounter how to respond.
To acknowledge kindness when we receive it or observe it:
There are no insignificant acts of kindness. Every small act of kindness matters. For many people, small kind acts are their way of being in the world.
When we receive their kindness, it is so easy to thank them. Beyond that courtesy, we like to say, “You are very kind,” as an acknowledgment. Sometimes, we tell them our favorite definition of kindness – “Love with its work boots on,” and then say, “That is you.”
We each have our own way of receiving kindness. It is part of the joy of the kindness path.
To graciously receive other people’s kindness:
Many of us are so used to being self-sufficient, that we automatically turn other people’s kindness away. It is easy to reject an offer of help, saying, “I’m fine, thanks,” even if a little help would be welcome.
One evening, we were with friends at a local Waffle House restaurant. While we were enjoying our meal and each other’s company, two men from the table behind me were leaving, and one of them presented me with a large feather, without a word. Taken by surprise, I thanked him, then he was gone before I could say anything else. To this day, that feather reminds me of the kindness of a stranger, and it has a special place on my desk.
Kindness is a circle, always in flow. If no one is willing to receive kindness, no one will be able to give it. I hope the stranger with the feather felt the joy that I experienced in receiving his gift.
As an aside: Larry says, “Remember to make an occasional trip to a Waffle House and mingle with the salt of Earth.” 😊
To look honestly at ourselves:
Setting time aside for reflection is helpful as we navigate our kindness path.
Looking back at the end of the day helps me to see:
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When was I kind and to whom?
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How did it feel?
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Where was I hesitant to be kind and why?
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Who am I excluding from my kindness?
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What judgments in me prevent me from being kind?
I can ask myself:
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“What could I do next time to overcome the hesitance that prevented me from being kind this time.”
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“What am I afraid of?”
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“Why?”
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How can I overcome that obstacle?
This process of reflection helps us to understand ourselves better, so we can be more comfortable the next time life presents us with similar encounters. It helps us to decide when and how to expand the circle of our kindness.
We each choose our level of commitment.
There is no right or wrong way to walk a kindness path. We each get to choose our way of expressing love in the world.
We invite you to commit to whatever level you are comfortable with. Then, when you are ready, you may want to take it up a notch – going from kindness in comfortable situations to those that are more challenging. It can be a bit scary, but also exhilarating when we step out of our comfort zone.
We thank you for choosing to bring your kindness out into a world that needs all the love it can get. You do make a difference with every act of kindness.
We wish you love and joy on your journey.
Image by John Hain from Pixabay
We also invite you to enjoy one of our favorite songs:
PLANTING SEEDS: A Song of Life
The 9 Cs of kindness are words that describe important aspects of a kindness journey. We invite you to check them out: Choice, Commitment, Connection, Curiosity, Courage, Compassion, Change, Community, Celebration
Yes. Every small act of kindness counts!! As a recipient of the kindness acts of others I know it makes a difference to my mood and outlook. These reminders encourage me to act kindly to all others . Together we can make huge changes. Thank you for your newsletter which is always inspiring.🤞
I agree. Together we can make huge changes, each of us showing up in the way that is right for us.
I believe that the cumulative small acts of kindness have the biggest impact on our world.
Thank you, Barb, for adding your kindness to the transformation of life on Earth.