Commitment to Kindness Becomes a Way of Life

                         The true meaning of life is to plant trees                                                 under whose shade you do not expect to sit.                    

                            Nelson Henderson

 

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 seeds need time to grow.

We are all planting seeds of some kind, and we get to decide what kind 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 be aware of 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 people 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. For many people, small kind acts are their way of being in the world.

When we receive their kindness, it is 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. We do ourselves and the giver of kindness a favor when receive their offer.

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:

• How I was kind and to whom,

• How it felt,

• Where I was hesitant to be kind and why,

• Who I am excluding from my kindness.

• What judgments in me prevent me from being kind.

I can ask myself,

• “What could I do next time to overcome the hesitance that prevented me from being kind this time.?

• “What am I afraid of?”

• “Why?”

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 bringing love out into 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 invite you to enjoy this song about the different outcomes we can expect from planting seeds of kindness.

Planting Seeds: A Song of Life 

The 7 Cs of kindness are words that define important aspects of a kindness journey. We invite you to check out the others: Choice, Commitment, Connection, Curiosity, Courage, Compassion and Change.

 

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We’re grateful that you are on this journey with us.

With love from our hearts to yours,

Pat and Larry