When 1 door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door we don't see the one opened for us.Helen Keller

Kindness, where does it begin?

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop

Kindness is the act or the state of being kind and it's marked by charitable behaviour, mild disposition, pleasantness, tenderness and concern for others.

According to book two of Aristotle's "Rhetoric" it is one of the emotions, which is defined as being 'helpfulness towards some one in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped.'

A little act of kindness goes a long way towards making this world a better place. Each kind thing we do connects us to the hearts, souls, and lives of those around us.

Each kind word we say and every kind thought we think brings us closer to love, closer to each other, and most importantly, closer to that sense of Oneness/Universal Energy or God, whatever is your belief. Kindness always ripples out as well and travels from person to person until it returns home to the heart that first shared it.

When we're kind to others it gives us that beautiful warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from the act itself whether we're recognized for the actual act or not, we recognize it in our own heart space if you will. Those simple acts energize us and allow us to feel great about ourselves and the world we live in.

I'm sure this isn't you, but one of the things I've noticed is that people are often so much quicker and find it so much easier to be kind to others than they do to themselves. And yet, isn't there a saying 'Kindness begins at home.'

From childhood we're taught to treat others the way we would like to be treated ourselves, but how often do we take time to treat ourselves the way we would like to be treated?

This lesson was brought home to me last year when I undertook the International Women's Leadership Program with Dr Joanna Martin and Pina De Rosa. One of the first exercises in the program was virtually random acts of kindnes ... to ourselves!

It was a really interesting process. I found that when I took the time to look after myself, I correspondingly found I had so much more energy to give to others, sometimes even before they realized they needed anything themselves.

I invite you to:
1. Be conscious of your thoughts and reactions towards yourself and the people around you. This is important because, once we recognize the times we could have chosen kindness over judgement, we find our opportunities to make a change.

2. Begin actively making attempts during your day to choose to be kind to yourself and those around you. Do this in random acts of kindness, as well as in the choices you make with the people in your everyday life.

3. Notice if your kindness is rubbing off on yourself and the people around you. Do you have more energy? Are you more likely to try something new? Are others treating you more kindly? Are others treating others more kindly? It is surprising how positive energy can radiate all around you, and affect all those around you.

4. Reflect or better still, journal on how choosing kindness is making a difference in your life.

May you always fill your life with kindness then. May all your days be full of loving thoughts, joyous feelings, and kind acts. May you always make the world a kinder place just by being in it.

Love life and live it creatively,

Leanne
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