March 24 – How to Grow Kindness in Your Own Backyard

“The point is not to pay back kindness, but to pass it on.” Julia Alvarez

Sometimes, kindness feels like a tiny seed buried deep in the ground, struggling to break through. Just like any skill, kindness can be developed. It's a muscle we can all strengthen, one act at a time.

Stage 1: The Seed of Awareness

David Brooks, in his book How to Know a Person, says "Being open-hearted is a prerequisite for being a full, kind, and wise human being."  This openness is the first step.  It's about recognizing the world around us, the people we interact with, and the situations they might be facing.

Maybe it's noticing the coworker who seems a little down, the tired parent juggling groceries and a crying child, or the pregnant woman struggling to tie her shoe.  Just taking a moment to acknowledge these situations is the first step towards building a bridge of kindness.

Stage 2: The Sprout of Empathy

Now, let's take that awareness a step further.  Imagine yourself in those shoes. How would you feel? What might they be going through? Empathy is the magic ingredient that transforms awareness into action. It allows us to connect with others on a deeper level and understand their needs.

Stage 3: The Blossoming of Action

This is where the magic happens! Kindness doesn't have to be a grand gesture.  It can be as simple as a genuine smile, a helping hand with a bag, or even just a kind word.  The key is to act on that empathy, no matter how small the action might seem.

Stage 4: The Sunflower Effect

Here's the coolest part: kindness is contagious! When we extend kindness, it inspires others to do the same. It creates a ripple effect, spreading positivity and building stronger communities. Your small act of kindness might just be the spark that brightens someone's day, inspires them to pay it forward, and ultimately creates a chain reaction of compassion.

“To extend yourself in kindness to anybody is an extension of kindness in the world.” Oprah Winfrey

Remember, growing kindness takes time and practice. There will be days when it feels easier than others. The important thing is to keep at it! Every act of kindness, big or small, is a step towards a more positive and compassionate world. So, let's all be gardeners of kindness, nurturing the seeds of empathy within ourselves and watching them blossom into something beautiful.

Practice random acts of kindness:

Offer a compliment. A genuine compliment can brighten someone's day.

Hold the door open for someone. It's a small gesture that shows you're thinking of others.

Let someone with fewer items go ahead of you in line. If the toddler behind you is having a meltdown, be courteous and allow their parent to go in front of you.

Smile at someone. A smile is contagious and can make someone else feel happy.

Pick up litter. Keep your community clean by picking up litter that you see on the ground.

Help someone carry their groceries. If you see someone struggling with groceries, offer to help them carry their bags to their car.

Donate blood. Blood donation is a great way to help others in need.

Volunteer your time. Volunteer your time to a local charity or organization.

Write a thank-you note. Take the time to write a thank-you note to someone who has helped you.

Bake cookies for your neighbors. Share some homemade cookies with your neighbors to brighten their day.

Leave a positive review for a business you like. A positive review can help a business succeed.

Tip generously. If you receive good service at a restaurant or from another service provider, be sure to tip generously.

Donate to a charity. Donate to a charity that you support.

Be patient. Be patient with the people around you, especially those who are working in customer service jobs.

Forgive someone. Holding onto grudges will only hurt you in the long run. Forgive those who have wronged you.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are endless possibilities when it comes to random acts of kindness. The most important thing is to be kind and compassionate towards others.

In today's increasingly digital world, it's easy to lose sight of what makes us human. The constant bombardment of screens and social media can distract us from cultivating essential qualities like kindness, empathy, and resilience.

My book, Nurturing Hopeful Resilience,  guides parents and caregivers through the challenges of raising children in a technology-driven age. It explores the importance of instilling strong values in children from a young age to help them develop into compassionate, responsible, and fulfilled individuals.

Through a series of practical exercises and insightful reflections, this book delves into fourteen core values: curiosity, awareness, kindness, learning, self-awareness, fairness, playfulness, compassion, service, belonging, trustworthiness, authenticity, community, and responsibility. Understanding and nurturing these values can empower our children to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world.

This book offers a roadmap for raising children who are academically successful, emotionally intelligent, socially adept, and morally grounded. It encourages readers to prioritize human connection, empathy, and compassion over material possessions and fleeting digital distractions. By embracing the power of values, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.