Kindness Is The Easiest Form Of Love
Learning to see with our hearts
Have you ever been struggling with something and then a stranger offers to help you? I have. I’ve also been the stranger offering.
Every day we have opportunities to give kindness to someone else. It’s rewarding for both parties. When you give kindness, you feel happy. The person receiving kindness feels seen and cared about.
Kindness can be as simple as smiling at another person, saying hello, or letting someone go ahead of you in line. It takes little effort except to see and acknowledge the other person.
Seeing the other person is becoming a societal and cultural problem.
Cell phones occupy our constant attention. We’re so absorbed in our own little world, we don’t see the other people around us. Sadly, people feel isolated and alone.
Mindful kindness is the answer to many feelings of loneliness and separation. By checking in with our environment, rather than tuning out, people can experience life.
Here’s an example:
I put away my cell when I go out and take a walk or run an errand. I enjoy looking at local nature. Birds, squirrels, the trees, and I also look around to see the people. If someone crosses my path, I smile and say hi. They are surprised (because I saw them) and smile back, and sometimes say hi.
What you get from this little exchange is a whole lot.
First, you destress by enjoying nature, breathing in clean air, and getting exercise. I don’t listen to music, podcasts, or other noise to distract me;
Second, I see another person coming. We’re going to cross paths, so I decide to be friendly. I smile first and say hello. I feel good about acknowledging them even if they just walk by. I’m mindfully giving kindness to a stranger.
Third, despite being shocked, the person acknowledges me. They smile (they usually do) and either say hello or nod their heads. That’s it! No drama or trauma because of this little bit of kindness, but 2 people are smiling.
There are many ways to bring kindness into the world.
There’s thoughtfulness, which is doing something for someone else if they can’t, like running an errand. Doing little things that make their life easier. My husband and I are always doing thoughtful things for each other. These random acts of kindness keep our relationship loving and caring.
There’s listening (real actual listening) to another person. Acknowledging their need to talk without judgment is compassionate kindness. Many times, people just need to put stuff into the air and feel heard.
Just being there for someone. Caring enough to answer the phone, meet up, or hold their hand. Many people are struggling in silence, feeling isolated and alone. Being there for someone could save their life.
Visiting someone old, or ill, or all alone with no one in their life. Just checking in on someone is a beautiful act of kindness. You have no idea how that little act of caring could bring joy to someone feeling forgotten.
These are just a few of many ways you can show acts of kindness easily.
I saw a quote the other day that says it all:
Kindness Isn’t An Act
It’s A Lifestyle
Every bit of kindness you put into the world creates a ripple effect. Kindness costs you nothing and yet it’s priceless. You uplift people through the simple act of seeing and acknowledging them.
People we encounter are just like us. We all struggle daily. By showing a little kindness we ease the stress, and bring a little light and joy into someone’s life.
Whenever someone offers kindness to me, I’m overwhelmed that someone cared. I think how selfless that person was to offer help or a seat on the bus. It’s very easy to ignore someone and to be rude. It takes a special person to put love into our world.
If we take time to think about how we’re all alike and need a break, it makes kindness important. If you’re into karma, yes, your kindness does come back when you need it.
I’m a kind person. I always have been. I’m empathic and I can’t take seeing people struggle. I care about other people. We all need to care about each other.
Until recently, people talked to each other. Intergenerational people got along and helped each other. Neighbors and communities got along and worked together. People were nicer to each other. Courtesy, manners, and common decency were the norm. Nobody had to preach about kindness because people had it.
I have no idea how we got so far off the track. What happened to push us to self-absorption and indifference?
The nastiness and cruelty on social media and regular media are nauseating. Reality shows that bully, degrade and shame people. News outlets stir division and hatred for each other. We willingly objectify each other by what we watch, read, and consume.
If this post does nothing else, please take time to think about where you stand on this issue. Are you about kindness or indifference?
We need a whole lot more kindness and a lot less indifference to keep this world turning.