Welcome to the eighth installment of our monthly intention setting ritual.
For more details on what this is all about see this post right over here.
If you missed last months post, or any other I encourage you to check them out over here.
This month we are going to focus on something that may sound a little obvious. What am I talking about? I'm talking about being KIND. You may be thinking to yourself "But I am already kind!" and I believe you, I do. And I'm not saying that you are not kind I'm simply suggesting we be more kind. Consciously-kind, unnecessarily-kind, above the call of duty as a human-kind.
Throughout life we are constantly reminded to be kind. "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." "Treat others the way you want to be treated." I like to think most people are decent and kind but the world can always use more smiles, right?
Life gets busy and it's easy to fall into a routine. It's a faced paced world out there and in a day and age when it seems like we are always rushing from one thing to another it's not hard to feel like we need to pare things down and focus our energy on the really important things in our lives. Being extra kind to a stranger doesn't always make the cut.
I know that I am guilty of doing this. It doesn't make me a bad person, I fall prey to tunnel vision and maybe even a bit of selfishness. I'd like to say otherwise, but my world does revolve around me and it's all too easy for me to miss the people who float in my periphery. The funny thing is that I find being nice actually feels really good.
I subscribe to the belief that the more kindness, love, and respect we put out into the world, the more we will receive. So for this months intention let's focus on not only being kind to ourselves and to our loved ones but also to our fellow man.
Ways to make it happen:
*Smile! (Even though I'm sure you smile a number of times on a daily basis, why not try to make a point to smile when pay for your coffee or pass someone on the street. That tiny bit of human connection can go a long way.)
*Be helpful. (Open the door for, help carry someone's groceries to their car, let someone merge into traffic ahead of you.)
*Random acts of kindness. (Technically all of these things could be considered ROK but here are some other ideas- pay the toll for the car behind you, write a kind word or phrase on a piece of paper and tuck it in a library book, hang a kindness tear sheet.)
*Share your thoughts. (I know I can't be the only person who makes a mental note when they see a cute purse or blouse. How often do you actually share those thoughts with the person? If you think someone has a cute hair cut tell them!)
*Bite your tongue. (Now don't get me wrong, I am all for speaking your mind. This is one tactic that is best used when coming into contact with people who you are close to. It's easy to get grumpy and let mean things slither out of our mouths. Try to be conscious of this and think before you speak. Unless it's really necessary, try to resist being unnecessarily snarky.
*As always if you find yourself struggling just remind yourself of your intention for the month. "This month I focus on kindness."
Comment and share what you plan to do to spread your kindness.
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