How to be Kinder
What was the last random act of kindness that you performed? Are you kind to yourself? Do you struggle with less-than-nice thoughts (and sometimes words)? Whether you need a mini-kindness makeover or a more significant overhaul in attitude, there’s no time like a beautiful summer month to kindle a kinder spirit. Kindness is the perfect combination of nice, thoughtful and sincere, and, like stronger muscles, it’s definitely something you can cultivate through a few exercises. Kindness in thoughts: To have kinder thoughts, notice how many times a day you judge someone else or yourself. Try to replace some of those judgments with compassion, acknowledging that everyone experiences tough times. “Consider starting and ending your day with three kind thoughts about yourself or someone else – it will frame your day in a really nice and loving way and add that little spark of kindness,” said Dr. Kellie Stecher.
Kindness in words: In our reality TV culture, we often see people who speak before they think, when the opposite it needed for true kindness. Before you lash out at someone else, take a deep breath and try to restate your words in a nicer way. This doesn’t mean you can’t tell your kids to clean their rooms, but maybe it means that it’s done in a softer tone. Again, notice what you say about yourself – starting with the source always helps when you want to be kinder to others. Kindness in actions: If you’ve ever had the person in front of you in line buy your coffee, you know that this can be the most fun option. What little things can you do to brighten a day for someone else? A card in the mail just because, an unexpected outing for ice cream or a no-strings-attached back rub are all simple examples of kindness in action. No one is perfect and no day is perfect, but adding a little extra kindness along the way can go a long way for both you and the others in your life.
