Learn ways to improve yourself to become a kinder person and extend that kindness to your loved ones and those you meet each day.

Are you a kind person? I imagine most will answer yes to that question.

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I know that even though I consider myself kind, I can think back on times when I wasn’t as kind as I could have been. I wish I could have a do-over on the way I acted towards someone or the way I reacted in certain instances. We can’t go back and change the past, but we can change how we handle things going forward.

How To Be A Kinder Person

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

Let’s look at ways we can start being kinder right now in our everyday life.

Remember the Golden Rule

Treat others the way you wish to be treated. It’s that simple. If you are religious, you may recognize this as do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Kindness is an easy habit to learn. When it comes to the way you treat others, remember to:

Smile

It doesn’t cost anything to smile. And smiling can be contagious. If you smile at someone, their reaction will most likely be to smile back. The act of smiling is calming and fills your brain with endorphins. As as a health benefit, smiling lowers your blood pressure and your stress levels.

Connect

Don’t wait for people to reach out to you. Send a message (or card, flowers, etc.) to someone you haven’t seen or spoken to for a while. Chances are you’ll brighten their day. If you know someone has been having a rough time, check in to find out if they are okay. Don’t forget your elderly neighbors, check-in with them to see if they need anything.

Understand Kindness

Kindness can mean different things to different people. It is generally defined as, “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” When you understand the meaning and really take it to heart, you will begin to see many ways to show kindness to others.

Many believe that kindness is a learned behavior. In other words, kindness can be taught. Observing and receiving kindness firsthand will be most effective in nurturing it in others. Whether it has been taught or not, kindness is a choice and it is up to us to choose wisely.

Be Genuine

Being kind without expectation is the truest kind of kindness.

Being genuine means you are true and authentic. If you are being genuinely kind you will not expect something in return for your kindness. Do kind things for others because it is in your nature to do so. Even handing out compliments should be kept true. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it.

People that are genuinely kind have the ability to listen and focus intently on a conversation and then be able to share a true opinion or thought regarding the matter.

Positive Vibes

Being kind is much easier to accomplish with a positive attitude. When you have a negative attitude, you won’t be as likely to extend kindness to others.

If you need some help working on your positivity, I have a free workbook to help you work on becoming more positive, which in turn makes it easier to show kindness. Get free access to our Resource Library, where you will find the positivity workbook.

Set a Good Example

If you treat people kindly and fairly, then those that look up to you will do the same. Not only will you be a kinder person, but you will also make the world around you kinder as well.

According to the article, The Importance of Kindness, by Karen Hall PhD, kindness often requires courage and strength. Ways to set a good example of kindness include:

Becoming active when people are in need
Celebrating in the success of others
Gently being truthful in order to help someone

Don’t Judge

Always be a little kinder than neccesary.

I am sure you have heard walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before. When you see life from someone else’s perspective, you can more easily empathize with them. Before you judge someone in an unkind manner, think about their circumstances and how you’d feel in the same scenario.

Before you start to judge someone, STOP. It takes great awareness to even know we are being judgemental. Observe their circumstances and be accepting of them just the way they are. That is a great sign of kindness.

Listen

Taking the time to listen more is one of the kindest things you can do. Sometimes people just need someone to vent to, and being a good listener is the best way you can help.

Be free of all outside distractions while you look at the person that is talking to you and concentrate on what they are saying. You should nod often and ask questions if you do not understand something or need more information.

Express It

Kindness only really counts when you express it. Say thank you, let people know you appreciate them, tell people you are there to help. Make an effort to express appreciation as often as you can in everyday life.

Hold the door open
Show up on time
Reach out to loved ones
Be friendly

Set Kindness Into Motion

You will never regret being kind.

Now that you have been given different ways in which to be kinder, it’s time to set it into action. Put kindness into practice with the following actionable steps.

Start Small

Begin by telling just one person how much they mean to you. Explain to them how much you appreciate that they are a part of your life.

Reflection

The next time someone annoys or angers you, step back from the situation and take some time to think about it. Reflect on if there was anything you could have done differently. Remember to put yourself in their shoes. If you start to see where they are coming from, be sure to reach out and let them know.

Celebrate

Grab a calendar and jot down the birthdays of your family and friends. When it gets close to their birthday, send them a birthday card. You will be surprised how much this will mean to someone.

Once you implement what you have just learned, you will be well on your way to becoming a kinder person.

MaryJo Scamurra

Mindset coach and founder of CoolBeanLiving.com, where she provides self-development resources and tools for women that help embrace and celebrate midlife wellness.

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Learn ways to improve yourself to become a kinder person and extend that kindness to your loved ones and those you meet each day.