Today is World Kindness Day!

Today is World Kindness Day - if ever we needed kindness in our world it is now as thing about kindness is, it is contagious, and it does truly change everything. So, today make the choice to be kind to yourself - give yourself a break. Then, be kind to the people around you - take time to smile, say hello, say thank you, let someone else go first. These are all simple ways to be kind - and easy ways to be kind.

Let's look at some benefits of being kind to yourself - along with being kind to others, it is essential for us to be kind to ourselves as well -

• Be kind to yourself. We could all use a gentle reminder about being a little kinder to ourselves. For many of us, showing up kindly starts with repairing the relationship we have with ourselves. Here are some restorative and practical ideas for how we can start to show up kindly for ourselves. When we are kinder with ourselves, we are kinder to others.
• Practice the kindergarten basics. Manners, turn-taking, including others, and comforting a friend who fell and scraped their knee. A kind environment is the compound of many small, kind acts.
• Show gratitude. When we feel grateful, we need to share this with others. Recognize and bring attention to what uplifts you. Tell someone they are doing a great job. End your work week by emailing someone who helped you out this week. Text or call a loved one to tell them they make a difference in your life.
• Listen to understand, not respond or problem-solve. So often, when others are talking, we think about how we will reply or what solutions we will provide. The truth is, being present and listening is a form of showing the kindness which is able to make another feel heard, understood, and truly felt. Next time you ask someone how they are, hold space and really listen to what they have to say.

You will find more info on being kind at this link. Now for some facts about kindness - did you know . . . 

• One in four children in the U.S. experience bullying at school on a regular basis — teaching kids to be kind to everyone, even if they're different, and to stand up to bullying when they see it, turns them into brave and kind adults.
• Though the movement isn't affiliated with any religion or political movement, over 28 nations participate in World Kindness Day.  
• People who are constantly kind produce 23% less cortisol, which is the stress hormone — because of the lower levels of stress, people who practice kindness age slower than the average population.
• Researchers from the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory found when people see someone else being kind, they are more likely to act kindly towards others themselves.
• Emotional warmth releases the hormone oxytocin, which dilates the blood vessels and therefore lowers your blood pressure.

You will find more about World Kindness Day at this link. Take time to encourage those you love to be kind - I do this regularly with my grands. Just last week I told them how thankful I am for each of them and I knew they were able to be kind to others because I have been able to watch them show kindness to others. I told them I knew they were able to be kind in how they spoke to and treated others and said, "Just imagine what the world would be like if everyone chose to be kind - it would be a far better place." To which my youngest grand said, "That is for sure!"

It is for sure! We are able to be kind. We are able to encourage others to be kind and when we do, we make our world a better place!

So, today on World Kindness Day, be kind! Encourage others to be kind - then do the same thing tomorrow, and the next day. Treat each day as if it were World Kindness Day! (You will learn more about World Kindness Day at this link.)