An editorial entitled “The Pope on Panhandling” in the New York Times Opinion Page, quoted Pope Francis saying that it’s “always right” to give to those in need. And questioned about people who use money for drink, Pope Francis replied, “If a glass of wine is the only happiness a person has in his life, that’s ok. Give, be kind.”
Most of the time people equate kindness with giving something materialistic, and yes, there certainly are moments where you can give something materialistic and it affects great change, but behind that materialism lays the true essence of kindness.
In our busy lives we are so connected to our iPhones, our iPads, our i-anythings, that we tend to be disconnected from each other. Leon Logathetis, former high-flying stock broker, made headlines when, on the streets of Denver, gave a homeless father enough to house himself and his son in a hotel for a week. Logathetis left his life as successful stock broker behind to travel the world in a vintage motor cycle fuelled by kindness.
According to Logathetis, the kindest thing one can ever do is simply “seeing” someone. It’s really all about showing people that they matter. Showing them that their life has meaning and their pain has value. Even if your pockets are empty, you can give the gift of respect and acknowledge shared humanity.
There are no “small” kindnesses. You never know how far your kindness could reverberate. The smile that you give the taxi driver (yes, the taxi driver!) could cause him to be kind to his passengers, and each of those people could in turn extend their kindness. Could this “small” act lift someone from despair?
Could offering a small gift or a kind word to others offer you a gift as well? Definitely so! Researchers found that once people got into the loop of being kind, it was followed by a feeling of happiness. Psychologists call this “the helpers high.”
Our world needs more kindness. So, let’s sow the seeds of benevolence and make a mindful effort to choose kindness and compassion. Let’s embark on a journey that goes beyond “nice” to true and genuine kindness.
Not sure on where to start? We have a few ideas on how to “pay it forward”?
- Smile more. Make someone’s day a little sweeter. It’s one of the easiest ways to be kind and it will take only a second of your time!
- Make someone a cup of tea.
- Pay for someone’s coffee.
- Invite someone new into your friend tribe.
- Hold the door. Always!
- Talk to a homeless person. Treat them respectfully, restore their sense of dignity.
- Pay a few compliments. Let your partner know how great they look, or compliment a colleague on a new outfit.
- Talk to a shy person.
- Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
- Stop complaining. Complaining robs you and others of joy.
- Say “Thank You” A LOT!
- Listen without judging.
- Help someone get some rest. (Watch their kids, bring them dinner or run an errand.)
- Help a co-worker. If you see someone stressed due to a deadline, offer to help out.
- Allow someone who only has a few items go ahead of you in the check-out line at the supermarket.
- Offer your time and talents to someone who needs it.
- Write your bucket list and include at least one act of radical kindness.
Live your best life, live kindly. “Be kind to yourself and to others” – Ellen DeGeneres
Source: www.virtuesforlife.com, www.livingkindly.me, www.inspiremore.com, www.lifehack.org, ayearoflivingkindly.com, abcnews.com, www.telegraph.co.uk, www.forbes.com, inspiration.allwomenstalk.com, www.6seconds.org, www.mindbodygreen.com, www.positivityblog.com, www.doyouyoga.com, www.worldlifestyle.com
