2. AGENDA
• Introduction ?
• Importance ?
• How do we show kindness to
others ?
• Being kind to yourself ?
3. WHAT IS KINDNESS?
The quality of being friendly, generous and considerate’.
Interestingly, the ‘and’ indicates that all three of those
conditions are required for kindness to be present. So, one
can be friendly and yet not kind, or both generous and
considerate but not kind. Perhaps it’s when we become
aware of all three conditions being present that we feel for
ourselves the pleasure of real kindness.
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4. WHY IS KINDNESS
IMPORTANT?
When we practice kindness either to other
people or towards ourself we can experience
positive mental and physical changes through
lowering stress levels and increasing the body’s
production of feel-good hormones such as
dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. Being kind
helps boost the immune system, reduce blood
pressure and reduce stress and anxiety.
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5. HOW DO WE SHOW
KINDNESS TO OTHERS?
Showing kindness to others does not have
to mean doing something big or life
changing. Often, it’s the smallest acts of
kindness that can have the most impact. A
moment of support in a time of need, a
quiet word of encouragement, a helping
hand to carry a heavy load, or just a smile
that says ‘I see you’ can make a world of
difference. Whatever the act itself, it’ll be
underpinned by four principles.
6. Awareness – we must be aware of the opportunity to be
kind. We can’t recognize the need if we are completely absorbed in
our thoughts, our own world, or our on-line alter egos.
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Non-judgment – we must be prepared to suspend judgment
if we want to be truly kind. It’s not for us to judge the good or bad,
right or wrong of another person’s situation. It’s only for us to
recognize there is an opportunity for us to be kind.
Action – we must act in a friendly, generous and considerate
manner to the person in front of us. Awareness without action can’t
be kind.
Unconditional – being kind means offering kindness without conditions or
expectation of reward. The real reward for a kindness is in the inner positivity, rather than
any external reward or recognition.
7. BEING KIND TO
YOURSELF
."
• Being kind to yourself is not just a nice idea, it’s an
essential form of self care and a vital foundation for
sustained kindness to others. Remember those
aircraft safety briefings that stress the importance
of putting on your own oxygen mask before helping
others? Well, kindness to yourself is a bit like that.
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8. • FEW SIMPLE WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN SHOW YOURSELF A BIT
OF KINDNESS TODAY AND EVERY DAY.
Self-awareness :
Being kind to yourself starts by building your self-
awareness, listening to your internal voice with a sense of
curiosity. What are you telling yourself, how often are you
being negative or hard on yourself? How infrequently are
you praising yourself, recognizing all the things you are so
good at? Consciously recognize all the positive things
about yourself.
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Generosity :
Be generous with yourself and do things just for you.
Give yourself time, disconnect from technology for a few
hours and get out into nature. So many people
unhesitatingly give themselves to other people and yet
find it very difficult to be as generous to themselves.
9. Avoid comparison :
Beware the danger of comparisons. We live in a world
of TV, advertising, social media that constantly shows
us how we are not yet living the perfect life, how we
don’t measure up to other people. Don’t fall into the
comparison trap because this is one route to lots of
negative self-talk and critique. The very opposite of
kindness, in fact.
Recharge :
If you’re an introvert, as apparently 70% of us are,
remember that after working or socializing with other
people, after giving yourself to others, you’ll need quiet
time alone to rest and recharge. This isn’t selfish, it’s
necessary. And doing so means you are being friendly,
generous, and considerate to yourself.
10. QUOTE OF THE DAY
• Kindness is a language which
the deaf can hear and the blind
can see.”