The Power of Kindness

"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." -Author Unknown.

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." - Dalai Lama

How do you change the world? By practicing one act of kindness at a time. Smiling, opening doors, helping with chores, assisting a friend or a stranger in need, giving money to charity, spending quality time with a child or a pet, giving your undivided attention to others and listening to them with empathy... All these deeds are priceless and add up, contributing to making this planet a better place to live. Recycling rubbish and rescuing animals, as well as encouraging peace, tolerance and understanding between different nations and religions are other examples of compassion. 

Kindness begins with everyone of us. Awareness of others (putting ourselves in their shoes), without being judgmental or critical, is the first step towards changing our attitude. Analyzing our responses is another important step. Just because people don't behave according to our expectations doesn't mean we must react to them with annoyance or irritation... 

Taking a deep breath and thinking before speaking can often defuse an argument. Others have their own reasons to be grumpy, unhelpful, unreasonable or irrational in your my eyes. You don't need to take it to heart. In an awkward situation, you always have a choice - whether to react or to respond in a polite manner, or not to respond at all. In the worst case scenario, it might be better to walk away and leave a troublesome individual to his or her devices. Angry people like to transfer their negative feelings onto others, but you don't have to be the target of their bad temper if you choose not to be. Give them understanding instead of fighting back, and their anger will soon evaporate. 

Kindness is important because your attitude towards life and others can have a significant effect on what happens to you day after day. If you expect good things, then these will come to you. If you expect people to treat you well, with love, respect and empathy, just like you treat them, then this is what you will receive in return. What you give out will come back to you. If you focus on kindness, this is what you will experience: the circumstances of your life will change accordingly. Maybe not right away - but sooner or later you will reap the fruits of your actions. You will see the results in the way other people respond to you, and in the way your daily needs are being met. Your own kindness and compassion will be reflected in everything that takes place in your life!

with love,

Bella

Painting: "Sara in a Large Flowered Hat Looking Right Holding Her Dog" by Mary Cassatt, 1902 (Wikipaintings)