Kindness is love, and love is kindness – it’s one of the most powerful acts of good we can engage in.
What Does It Mean to Be Kind?
Kindness is a quality anyone can possess or develop; being kind is a choice we can make at any time. Kindness is love, selflessness, empathy, and compassion all wrapped into one magical package. Kindness is backed by genuine intention and goes one step further than just being “nice.”
“Kindness is the sincere and voluntary use of one’s time, talent, and resources to better the lives of others, one’s own life, and the world through genuine acts of love, compassion, generosity, and service.”
Kindness Strengthens Our Relationships and Sense of Connection
Kindness helps us feel love and connection, allowing us and others to feel valued and seen.
When we practice kindness towards ourselves, we learn to be softer, less critical, and more in tune with our needs – it can transform the relationship we have with ourselves and cultivate more self-love and acceptance. Learning to be kind to ourselves is an act of personal growth that also benefits all the other relationships in our lives. When we’re kinder to ourselves, we’re more likely to be kind, empathetic and patient with others.
Being kind to friends and loved ones shows your commitment to seeing them happy and thriving. It’s a genuine expression of your love, and others will feel and appreciate it, making your connection even stronger.
Showing kindness towards strangers, such as giving a compliment or paying for someone’s coffee, creates serendipitous dopamine-boosting moments of connection between two people who, up until now, had never crossed paths. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to know someone to care for them and that we’re all in this crazy life together. That reminder is both humbling and grounding.
As you can see, kindness strengthens your relationship with yourself, your family, and your community.
Kindness Is Contagious: Why We Should All Be More Kind
Kindness inspires kindness. You’ve heard of the pay-it-forward movement – where one stranger does one kind thing for another, creating a cascade of random acts of kindness. Imagine if we were to keep that momentum going until it got so big that we could influence the world…
Kindness is the medicine we all need, especially during troubling times.
Many people are fighting internal battles and struggles that may be invisible to the world outside them; when we choose to be kind, we’re increasing the chances of spreading love in a world that is at times filled with darkness.
Studies also support that when we perceive others as being generous, we’re more likely to be so.
What Are The Qualities of A Kind Person?
A kind person is someone who is helpful, generous, and considerate of others. In addition, kind people are often highly empathetic, allowing them to feel what others feel and recognize when they need help or a little boost.
The qualities of a kind person:
Being a good listener. This makes others feel heard and like you care about what they have to say.
Considering the feelings of others. You are showing kindness when you think about how your words or actions may impact other people.
Being accepting of others. We’re all unique in our own ways; kind people recognize this and are accepting of who you are without judgment.
Offering praise. Praise allows people to feel appreciated and valued. When we give a compliment or acknowledge the efforts someone is making, it contributes to a stronger bond.
Generosity. Kind people often give to others out of genuine love and expect nothing in return.
Compassion and empathy. Kind people understand what someone else might need because they can step outside themselves and into someone else’s shoes.
Patience. Part of being kind is being patient with others, especially under tough circumstances. Our ability to maintain composure, even if we may be losing our cool, can go a long way in showing another person that you value them.
Being helpful. Being helpful is another quality of being a kind person. When we go out of our way to make the lives of others easier, it’s noticed and appreciated.
Forgiveness. Holding grudges or making people feel bad for their mistakes is not considered kind. Forgiving people shows we understand that mistakes are just part of life and that you trust them to do better in the future.
Humility. Kind people don’t boast about their random acts of kindness; in fact, they may prefer to remain anonymous. Humility shows that you know you’re no better than anyone else and that you consider yourself an equal who is still learning and growing.
10 Ways to Practice Being Kind
Below are ten examples of how you can be more kind so you can strengthen your relationships and connection to others. Of course, there are hundreds of ways to show kindness, but this list is a good place to start.
1. Tell someone you love what you appreciate about them
2. Show interest and make eye contact when talking to someone
3. Bring a cup of coffee to your favorite coworker
4. Surprise your relatives with a visit
5. Pay for the order behind you in the drive-through line
6. Practice listening to hear and absorb what another person is saying – not to respond.
7. Help someone take a load off; for example, offer to babysit your best friend’s kids for the day so she can take a break.
8. Give someone a compliment
9. Hold the door open for the person behind you
10. Volunteer at a local organization that is dear to you
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