KINDNESS TOWARDS OTHERS
Chicky Read
Kindness -
noun
The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Kindness is natural to us. Being kind to each other is part of who we are, on a genetic level and on a spiritual level. ‘Survival of the fittest’ has been misinterpreted for years and is seen as the fastest, strongest and most courageous succeed in life. But the ‘fittest’ is actually those who help, support, sacrifice and guide others for the greater good. Kindness and empathy help us relate to other people and have more positive relationships with friends, family, and with strangers we encounter in our daily lives.
Kindness starts with one person - YOU. Science has shown that by showing one random act of kindness per day you reduce stress, depression and anxiety. Your body is also filled with the same hormones that make you and the person you have shown your kindness to, happier, calmer and healthier. Endorphins - chemicals that are naturally produced by the nervous system to cope with pain or stress, often called ‘feel-good’ chemicals because they can act as a pain reliever and a happiness booster. Oxytocin - triggers a wide variety of physical and psychological effects. It has been found to ease stress, improves social behaviour and induce sleep. Serotonin - an important chemical and neurotransmitter, naturally produced within the human body. It has been found to help to improve your mood and social behaviour, appetite and digestion, sleep and memory.
Kindness can be shown and received in many different ways. If you are feeling like you need a little more kindness in your life, spread kindness and it will come back to you in one form or another.
A few ideas of acts of kindness that you can practice -
Holding the door for someone
Smiling and saying ‘Hi’ to someone you pass or encounter
Compliment someone e.g on their jumper or the way they’ve styled their hair
Give someone your seat
Listen to someone when they need you
If you’ve seen something that makes you feel happy, show someone else
Help someone up the stairs or with their bags
Remind someone of how special they are to you
“Your acts of kindness are iridescent wings of divine love, which linger and continue to uplift others long after your sharing”
- RUMI