Don’t wait for someone else to do it
start the chain of kindness.
Kindness denotes gentleness, tenderness, benevolence and consideration.
Are you considering their needs, feelings, and viewpoints?
Do you remember treating yourself gently, with love?
Do you remember to take care of your body, mind and spirit?
Do you remember that it’s okay and even necessary sometimes to put yourself first?
To start a chain of kindness, you must feel energized, peaceful, and loving enough to share a little kindness with someone else.
You can share with others who are feeling good, but it is much more generous to share with someone who is feeling grumpy, irritable, or grouchy.
When someone is not in a good mood, that person really needs kindness, even if they can’t return your kindness.
When you feel full of love and peace, it’s easier to react kindly to someone who doesn’t feel that way and who may be giving you a hard time.
For you to start a chain of kindness, you must remember to take care of yourself.
When was the last time you gave yourself a [enter your first name here] Day: a day dedicated to replenishing your cup of energy and well-being?
One of my best friends and “life” teacher, Georgia Whitman, was a very kind and generous person. Georgia would take a “Georgia Day” from time to time. It was a day when she just did exactly what she wanted, and not a bit more. Her family had to adapt. They knew the rulers and obeyed them because it meant Georgia was there for them the rest of the time.
Georgia would use her Georgia Day to take care of herself. Georgia could spend the day in bed, reading, taking a walk, soaking in the tub, meditating, or basically doing whatever feels “right” for her day.
She could even go silent on a Georgia day, which meant everyone knew not to talk to her because she wasn’t responding. This was not rude. Everyone knew the “rules” of a Georgia Day.
If you don’t value the importance of taking care of yourself, consider “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. If you are not filled to overflowing, what do you have to freely give to others?
With all the stress we seem to be under these days, having a special day for yourself, even if it’s just once a month (although more often would be better) is essential to your good health, good mood, and ability to share the kindness. with others.
If you have young children you may not be able to take a full day, although it would be great if you could. Still, it’s worth half a day or several hours or even an hour of peace, even if you use it to make up for lost sleep. One mother I met said that she could only rest by taking long baths with the bathroom door closed. I hope you don’t have to resort to a closed door to get a break from taking care of others.
So if you find yourself cranky and grumpy, grumpy and grumpy, it’s time to be KIND to yourself. A little kindness will go a long way.
If you’re not a single parent, this might be easier to arrange. If you’re a single parent, you may need the help of a friend or family member to get this done.
Then, if someone you’re working with or talking to on the phone or Zoom or Skype (or some other modality) seems “out of it,” sending them a little kindness will help both of you feel better.
An act of kindness is never wasted.
