Kindness is a wonderful way of living life. It has such a powerful and positive effect on both the giver of the kindness and the recipient. Kindness can be in the form of thoughts, words or actions and be given to people, animals or nature and given with no expectation of a reward. The memory of the kindness lives on in the recipient for a long time, perhaps the rest of their lives and the influence that it has on the person can be life changing.

If you want lots of kindness stories visit http://kindnessblog.com  and you will find many inspirational actions.

Kindness is genuinely caring about the world around you. Showing respect and compassion for others. Not ignoring what is happening but doing something. Little things such as instead of looking at the mother with distaste who has hit her screaming two-year old tell her she looks like she is having a bad day and invite her for a cup of coffee.

It is so easy to be kind to animals and yet some people don’t. We are responsible for their well-being and care. They are totally dependent on us. We should also connect with nature and look after it. This kindness is sensible as we shouldn’t poison the land that will give us a healthy environment.

Being kind to those outside your own circle and those close to us is usually easy. Being kind to people outside that circle is more difficult but we should be kind to everyone no matter where they come from, their religious beliefs and values, how wealthy they are and how different from ourselves they happen to be.

And we mustn’t forget to be kind to ourselves. If you are busy or constantly in the service of others unless you are kind to yourself you will soon suffer from “burn out.” It is essential that you give yourself a bit of “me” time to prevent this.

Kindness gives the recipient a warm all over glow and this is reflected back to the giver. Not only do you have this wonderful feeling but it seems to lessen your troubles, making them not seem insurmountable and connects you to the world a bit more than you were.

I believe that you aren’t born being kind (some people probably are) but that it is something you can learn and practice. Reach out to others and in time it will come naturally.  Practice will lead to better communication and understanding. It will make your life and perhaps the lives of others meaningful.

Piero Ferrucci in his book the Power of Kindness describes kindness as warm, resilient, patient, trusting, loyal and grateful. He also says that kindness “frees us from getting knotted up in negative attitudes and feelings such as resentment, jealousy, suspicion and manipulation.”

What a wonderful thing kindness is.

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