As I have said before my husband and I are pretty much addicted to our local public library. Every time we go we seem to come back with a bigger stack of books than the last time. Therefore I had plenty of books to choose from for today's post. I must admit however, having a 6 month old baby and reading for pleasure don't usually go hand in hand so most of the books I haven't even thumbed through and probably won't before they are due back. But I always have the highest of intentions when it comes to reading, you just never know when you might have a few spare minutes you can fit in a few chapters. The book I chose is one I haven't read yet, and honestly probably won't get to for quite sometime, so I thought this would give me a good excuse to at least thumb through it a bit. It is, 10 Mindful Minutes - Giving our children and ourselves the social and emotional skills to reduce stress and anxiety for healthier, happier lives by Goldie Hawn. Yes, that Goldie Hawn!
The page I turned to when I opened the book was on kindness, and this is the first sentence I read, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Plato
How true are those words! In life at one point or another we all fight a hard battle and you never know what someone else might be fighting at any given time. This holds especially true with those of us who are living with an illness or health issue. So instead of being negative and judging someone why not try to be kind instead.
Kindness comes from thoughtfulness. Only when we are mindful of others thoughts and feelings can we do something kind for them. When we are kind to others we are also being kind to ourselves. Kindness has so many wonderful effects on our body and those we are kind to. Acts of kindness raise our optimism, making us happier. Kindness raises dopamine levels in the brain and activates the brain's pleasure centers. Kindness strengthens our immune system which in return boosts our health. Antibodies in the nose and mouth that fight off viruses are increased with kindness. Kindness reduces the feeling of depression, hostility and isolation while increases optimism, joyfulness and resilience. Doing as few as five small acts of kindness a week can boost our mood and health. Kindness is contagious, when you are kind to someone, that someone is more likely to pass along the kindness to someone else.
Acts of kindness don't have to be extravagant, they can be something as small as smiling at someone, saying hi, holding open a door, giving a complement, or leaving a short note of kind words for a loved one to find. Once you start incorporating small acts of kindness in your life you will find it is contagious and will find many more ways to bring kindness into your life and others.
So next time hold that door open for the person coming in after you at the restaurant or store and give them smile as you do it. Or say something nice to the person standing next to you in the elevator or in line at the coffee shop. Chances are they will pass along the kindness to someone else and maybe that small act of kindness is just what that person needed as they fight their battle. As an added bonus you might just make yourself feel better and healthier in the process.
What are ways that you incorporate small acts of kindness in your everyday life? If you have children do you teach them to do the same in their lives?
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