Simple Acts of Kindness
Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash
I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.
-Tennessse Williams
I feel like we all need a little more kindness. There are many benefits to acts of kindness, whether in service or affirmation; I feel better when I say or do something kind. I’m very aware that the person I offer kindness to is experiencing something positive too. We are all living on this planet, surviving, and hopefully, creating a lifetime of memories. It may be hard sometimes, but we don’t have to suffer. Yes, we all have different journeys, opinions, and goals. Who says we can’t all do that with kindness?
In an article published by the BBC, the research suggests that complimenting someone makes you feel good along with the person being complimented. The writer Mark Twain once noted,
The happy phrasing of a compliment is one of the rarest of human gifts, and the happy delivery of it another.
Why are we so stingy with our compliments and kindness?
The article goes on to say we fear how we will be perceived in our delivery. In this study, they find that fear is inaccurate. People love compliments; they appreciate the acknowledgment and pay no attention to the delivery. In business, “verbal praise was more effective than cash bonuses,” according to a study conducted by Intel and Duke University. Organizations can make huge leaps in engagement and productivity if they exercise consistent, authentic acknowledgment.
The bottom line is people like to feel good. Isn’t that what we search for daily? When we don’t feel good, we look for ways to improve our moods. Kindness is a simple, free act that creates happiness and positive feelings. When was the last time you experienced an act of kindness as the giver or receiver? Here are some examples:
Let your co-workers, family, or friends know what you appreciate about them.
Open the door for someone.
Let someone in front of you in line.
Put someone’s empty trash can away.
Take dinner to a friend.
Bring someone coffee.
Smile at everyone you pass for a day.
Listen to someone’s story.
Tell a joke.
Look in the mirror and offer yourself a compliment.
Acknowledgment and celebration are essential to fueling passion, making people feel valid and valuable and giving the team a real sense of progress that makes it all worthwhile.
-Dwight Frindt
I invite you to practice one act of kindness a day for a week. Let me know how you feel! I appreciate your reading this, as I know your time is important. Thank you for that gift!
Kindly,
Fundamental of the Week #20: APPRECIATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE
Let people know your appreciation for the qualities that they possess. Being acknowledged for a task well done is important, being acknowledged for a character quality is lasting.
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