Changing the world may sound impossible, but it is, if everyone helped in different ways. It may sound out of reach or not realistic. You may think you don't have the time for it, don't have money for it, don't have the skills for it, but you will.
First of all, what is an act of kindness?
An act of kindness is a spontaneous gesture of goodwill towards someone or something - our fellow humans, the animal kingdom, and the kingdom of nature.
While you may not realise it, you are performing many acts of kindness each day. Such things as smiling and greeting people in a friendly manner, whether they be friends, associates or total strangers. A kind act can be sincerely complimenting someone. It can be helping someone on or off with their coat, opening a door, saying please, thank you, excuse me, and other common courtesies. It can be giving your total attention to people when they are talking, it can be offering support to someone who has a problem, it can be helping to heal a rift. Or it can be not doing something. For example, refraining from such things as gossiping, finding fault, or making negative judgements.
Kindness can be acting out all of those words that are in our vocabulary such as caring, thoughtful, loving, sympathetic, gentle, considerate, warm, compassionate, understanding, forgiving, friendly, tender, amiable, genial, unselfish, generous, helpful, supporting, nurturing. These are words that acknowledge, respect, join, unite, words that build bridges between us.
As more and more people join the Kindness Revolution, the downward spiral of society fuelled by selfishness, materialism and greed will be slowed, and even reversed. As this happens it will promote an enhanced feeling of 'belonging' in the community, and give a greater sense of meaning and purpose to all of our lives.
When carrying out acts of kindness, care should be taken not to intrude or embarrass - 'discretion' is the operative word. Give your smile or whatever, and then move on, unless the receiver gives out signals that they would like to talk. If you linger, the receiver could feel an obligation to reciprocate, or perhaps become embarrassed and resent the kind act. Some kind acts may be able to be carried out anonymously. It absolves the receiver of any sense of awkwardness or indebtedness, and for the giver, it becomes an enjoyable game. Also, anonymous kindness bypasses our ego's demand for attention, and is the highest form of kindness.
Kindness should be something you do not for yourself, but others. It is not a selfish act at all and there is no "reward" as such, but the benefits you get from helping someone or whatever are all the reward you will need.
I am now going to list acts of kindness that can be performed every day, Read through the list and add your own acts of kindness to this post. But most importantly, do these acts of kindness as much as you can.
We have all the capacity in the world to help and care for people, so even if your broke, have no skills, and not much time, you will be able to do these things. |
