We were talking about being kind, and how this doesn’t have to be grand and big, even the smallest things can make a difference. With this being the case, it is easy to think that we can learn to be this way and not just do this from time to time. We are all creatures of habit, and it is about forming habits that enable us to stay in good patterns, that are essential to long-lasting change. To live life as a kinder and more caring person, it’s good to start to embrace just how lovely it is to be this way. Initially making changes does take effort but over time these can become just as natural as walking and talking are to us. To get to this natural place of living in a certain way will take planning and time to make this happen.
The best way to start to be kind on a day-to-day basis is to think of your life and how this would look in your world. As we can all live very different lives, this is something we each need to navigate and find what will bring this kindness seamlessly into our lives. If you are often busy out and about in the world driving, then an easy one to start with is to just take time to let people out in front of you. This might seem trivial but for a nervous driver, being flashed to come out could make a massive difference to them. At these moments you are being altruistic and this is such a great characteristic to have, as it is essential in the development of being a kind individual. This doesn’t mean having to let every single other road user go before you as that would be overkill and wouldn’t last, but just a few more people. And in those moments some people will acknowledge this and wave, but others won’t. Please don’t let that bother you, as being kind is not conditional, you are doing this because you choose to, and you don’t need validation from others to feel good about your choices. Of course, when people acknowledge your kind gestures then this is a great feeling too, just don’t bank on that, take pleasure from your actions and not those of others. Because our actions are the only ones we can change and we should always look at the bigger picture, not just pick apart things just because some things weren’t as good as others.
Maybe you don’t drive but walk to work every day, then your kind acts could be to hold doors open for people and give them the right of way before you. You might see someone with a lot of bags, or struggling with a pushchair or maybe they are on crutches. These are ideal times to embed kindness into your life and be in this way of living your life on a day-to-day basis. But you also might be doing this already, this being the case then just add a few more times into your day that you put others first in these situations, expanding your acts of kindness. Again, the people who acknowledge you in positive ways are the moment to remember and embed these into how this way of living makes you feel. Other ways are if we see someone struggling, that we just take the time and offer help. I know at times that we might be running late ourselves and can’t always be there for other people. This is fine too as this is about finding that balance in our lives, as we need to be kind to ourselves as well as others for this to become a lifestyle that we can maintain.
There are lots of different ways we can start to be that kind of person on a day-to-day basis and for each of us, it would be good to pick three or four different ways we can focus on. I think all of us should choose the option to help anyone that we see struggling. Of course, this will have limitations and if this could put us in danger then we can’t take that route. Say God forbid we see an armed robbery starting, then don’t rush in to break it up, get to a safe place and call the police. Don’t just leave it to someone else to do that as you don’t know if anyone else will. If we all look at things in this way and make it part of how we are in life then life will be better for us all. With your three or four chosen areas, do your best to try and do a few things every day that show this kindness to other people. Set goals and give yourself a month or two to monitor this, over time you will find that this will become a natural way of just being and this is just great.
Make today your first day of change and choose to be that kind person in the world you live in. Those little things you do can make big changes for others. Also, I think you will find that you will be very happy with living life this way and that’s a great feeling to have every day.
Enjoy creating new and lasting habits of kindness. Sara x
HYPNOSARA 