Share Kind Thoughts or Appreciation with Others
The Power of Kindness and Appreciation
The power of sharing kindness and appreciation with others cannot be disputed. There is a "happiness high" generated as serotonin is released into the body of the giver of a kind act. It just feels good to give kindness and appreciation.
Think about a time when someone told you how special you are to them. How did it feel when they expressed how much they care and appreciate you? When they told you how loved you are, how hard you work or they appreciate you going the extra mile? It lights us up to hear kind words and expressions of gratitude.
Kindness and appreciation are really simple concepts. Yet they have the power to magically open our hearts leading to strength in relationships that is hard to break.
Not only does treating people kindly boost the recipient, it does wonders for the giver. It reduces your stress, helps with depression and improves your mood. The gift of kindness and showing appreciation to others is a win-win.
What a beautiful practice we can share with the ones we love and care about. Sharing kind thoughts and appreciating others truly makes the world a better place.
"Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” - Harold S. Kushner
Selflessness vs. Selfies
Our modern society has drifted from valuing and taking time to express kindness and appreciation with others. We tend to view these acts as weak or exposing ourselves as vulnerable.
In many ways, we have lost this natural act of a healthy community in favour of the perfect selfie for our Instagram feed. We rush around so preoccupied with ourselves that we have lost the connection between our hearts and all other hearts that beat on this planet.
The inverse logic of God says that outward kindness is strength, not weakness. Being kind and expressing gratitude requires great courage and can transform your life.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” - Aesop
Be Kinder and More Appreciative with Others
The qualities of kindness can be said as being friendly, warm, considerate and generous. We also think of kindness and appreciation in terms of care and concern of others.
- Do you need to show more consideration to your spouse after they've had a stressful day?
- The next time you see your neighbour can you spend 5 minutes chatting with them and ask how things are going?
- Or could you be more understanding of the co-worker who is going thru a tough divorce and she's not focused on the big project you are working on together?
- What about the guy who just cut you off in traffic....perhaps he was up all night worrying about his teenage daughter whose been doing drugs and getting in trouble at school?
Think about how you express kindness and appreciation to the people in your family, your neighbours, people at your workplace or the strangers you encounter every day.
We all carry unseen burdens and scars. By being kind, understanding and appreciating people whenever we get the chance, we lift each other up.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” - Desmond Tutu
Adjust Your Automatic Responses
Try adjusting your automatic responses. Slow down and look for opportunities to share a kind word, a compliment or generous praise with others.
Seek first to understand if someone is frustrating or angering you. Why are they doing what they're doing? And then choose to be kind. Focus on appreciating the good in people not on the negative.
Be present in the moment. When you are in a meeting, talking on the phone or having a coffee with a friend, be there with them. Don't think about your to-do list, look at your phone or script in your head what you want to say next.
Do try this at home. We are generally nicer to complete strangers than our own loved ones. Be the hero and act with kindness and appreciation to your family. This could be the one thing that improves your relationships at home.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." - Proverbs 3:27
Put Your Hand on Your Heart
Sharing kind thoughts and appreciation is a daily practice and a powerful way of choosing to show up in your life. It is not a one and done project.
Kindness and appreciation are wonderful ways of being with others but it is also important how you treat yourself. If you catch yourself thinking unkind thoughts or undervaluing yourself, do this one thing....
Put your hand on your heart.
Really. Put your hand on your heart. This technique is scientifically proven to bring you back to yourself and connect with your inner compassion and gentleness.
Be kind and appreciate yourself for the amazing, unique and deserving person you are. Not because of what you do or your job title or how much cash you have.
Just for being beautiful you.
“Be kind to yourself as you proceed along this journey. This kindness, in itself, is a means of awakening the spark of love within you and helping others to discover that spark within themselves." - Tsoknyi Rinpoche
Share the Kindness Message!
If you enjoyed this post, please share it on Facebook and LinkedIn to inspire your circle to be kinder and more appreciative in their daily lives!
In the spirit of this post, thank you for being the incredible person you are. I deeply appreciate each of you....my clients, my family and my friends. My heart is full of gratitude for you.
If you need me, if you have a question or if you are interested in starting an organizing project, kindly comment below and I will respond to you within 24-48 hours.
Take good care of yourself.
Find your freedom.
Live your life.
Noreen