8 More Ways To Add Kindness To Your Personal Values

Making Kindness One of Your Personal Attributes 

The majority of us undoubtedly think of ourselves as being kind. Yet even in the current holiday season, where the spirit of kindness blossoms, we observe grumpy people, rude shoppers and sales clerks, discourteous drivers, bad manners, boorish behavior, disrespectful actions, and offensive arguments. Unfortunately, sometimes we observe such behavior and actions in ourselves. 

Kindness is more than just gift wrapping presents and putting them under a tree or handing them to someone. Kindness is a behavior pattern that treats all others with dignity, respect, gracefulness, sympathy, thoughtfulness, and compassion. With that in mind, here are eight more easy to add kindness to your personal values so that you can continuously bring kindness into the lives of others:

·         React to rudeness with compassion. No sense throwing oil on a raging fire and making a bad situation worse. We all have moments of emotional meltdowns, so help those in emotional pain with calm and soothing words of comfort rather than your own angry words of confrontation.

·         Be generous to those who look like they need it, by letting the person who seems in a rush to go ahead of you at the check-out line or by giving up your seat on public transportation to someone  who looks tired and worn out.

·         Truly mean the words "please" and "thank you" when you say them, and be sure to smile and look the other person in the eyes so that they sense your sincerity and genuineness.

·         Constantly be generous with your praise of others. It's amazing how far a bit of praise goes in creating energy, passion and enthusiasm in others.

·         Greatly reduce your criticisms and complaints about others, particularly behind their backs. The old rule about "if you cannot say anything good about someone, don't say anything at all" is sage advice.

·         Remind yourself of your previous acts of kindness, which is sure to bring a slight smile to your face. Such positive memories are a good way to spark new ideas on how you can continue to exhibit kindness to others.

·         Be grateful for the good things and people that come your way, and remind yourself that every act of kindness you generate produces feelings of gratitude and appreciation in others.

·         Remember that small acts of kindness count large, especially to the recipients. So give help to the person struggling with their onboard luggage, help the elderly or infirm cross the street, ask the stranger looking lost if they need directions. And always share your umbrella with those caught out in the rain without one of their own.

Many of the examples above may appear to be small and of little impact. However, as Aesop wrote, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Or, as Kahlil Gibran put it, "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention."

In addition to the above, you should also be kinder and gentler with yourself. There is little reward to be found in being overly harsh and too critical with one's self. While the old saying "kindness starts at home" certainly has a ring of truth to it, it is important to remember that authentic kindness starts with one's self.

Do you have other ideas to add to this list? If so, please add your contribution in the comments box below.

This article is partially excerpted from Project You: Living A Determined Life, which is available at Amazon in eBook and paperback.