“Together we can change the world, just one random act of kindness at a time.” Ron Hall.
Presently we are living in very challenging times given the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic that is affecting the world. Many people across the world are having to cope with a new way of being including adhering to lockdown measures and social distancing.
In last week’s blog I talked about how developing greater acceptance of situations and people brings more inner peace. I also mentioned the need for us all to focus on things that we can control and influence in these uncertain times. One thing we can control is how kind and compassionate we are towards other people.
Whilst out grocery shopping this week, I observed a lady doing 5 lots of shopping for family and elderly neighbours. I was so pleased to witness this and was touched by the lady’s extraordinary kindness. Over the past few weeks, I have heard many people say that they are shopping for others and fetching their essential medical supplies. It’s wonderful how people are showing more community spirit and offering practical support.
In a blog last year, I mentioned how I strongly believed that the world needed more compassionate and kind people! In a strange way, the current situation is enabling this to happen. It’s bringing out the very best in people and I have witnessed many acts of kindness.
Perhaps we can all learn from the Dalai Lama who, when asked about his philosophy to life said “Be Kind.”
Prior to the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19) I got very dismayed at the amount of conflict and negativity in the world reported by the media. It seemed to me that we all needed to consciously make an effort to be kinder to one another. I felt that the world was crying out for a little more kindness and greater respect for each other.
Research suggests that there are many benefits to us being kind. It makes us healthier, happier and can improve our results. It gives us a greater sense of wellbeing, makes us more emotionally resilient and reduces our stress levels.
People have many different motivations for performing acts of kindness. It can stem from a desire to give something back or to help themselves to feel more purposeful. Alternatively, it can be as simple as wanting to feel good.
A piece of research from British Columbia University suggested that people who were given $50 to spend, got more pleasure from spending it on others than spending it on themselves.
Acts of kindness can take many forms and range from planned activity such as volunteering our time to a worthy cause to more spontaneous acts. It doesn’t have to involve money. There are many simple ways we can all perform small acts of kindness.
For example, we can give a compliment, smile at a stranger, perform some chores for an elderly person, chat to someone who lives alone (in these days of social distancing this can be a conversation through a window or a phone call). We can donate some money to charities that help homeless or vulnerable people or we can sort out some possessions we no longer want or need to give to charity once lockdown measures are lifted.
We could do something simple like make a loved one a cup of tea or coffee or cook them a meal. We can let someone go in front of us in a queue, give an unexpected gift or some form of recognition or appreciation.
We can make a phone or video call to someone who’s going through a challenging time and actively listen to what they are saying without judgement. This simple act of caring can help someone feel valued and better.
Each act of kindness may seem tiny but it actually brings about change and shifts the way we see ourselves and others. This in turn changes the way that others see us. Acts of kindness affect people’s lives in a positive way. They may inspire and encourage others to perform some kind acts too.
Kindness can also have the effect of helping us to feel more grateful for what we have in life and enable us to feel a little more optimistic about the future.
Here is an old story about kindness which I feel is worth sharing at the present moment to reinforce what I have mentioned above:
The Wise Woman’s Stone
One day a wise woman was travelling in the mountains, where she found a precious stone in a stream. The next day, she met another traveller who was hungry and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food with him.
The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so immediately and without hesitation, even though she knew how valuable it was. The traveller left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. However, a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I want to give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious.”
“What is that?” the wise woman asked.
“Please can you give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone?”
In conclusion, I believe that kind acts bring a bit of light and sunshine to the world. This is particularly important in these sad and dark times. Let’s all commit to bring a bit of sunshine to the world in the coming weeks and months to make things a little better.
It’s within your control to make a positive difference to others and the world by being one of the kind and compassionate people that is very much needed at present.
This week, why not take a moment out to reflect and consider what you can do to bring more kindness and compassion to the world.
To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk