Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Importance of Kindness for a Happier Life
Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Importance of Kindness for a Happier Life
Over the past few months, we have been exploring the first 4 steps of the 16 guidelines series relating to “How we think” including Humility, Patience, Contentment and Delight. Now we start exploring the next 4 steps relating to “How we act”, starting this month with Kindness.
Introduction: The Importance of Kindness in Our Lives
Kindness. Just the word itself conjures a warm feeling in the heart. How can one word mean so much? We cannot underestimate the importance kindness makes on human life. Often just a smile or one kind word can make all the difference. Being kind and receiving kindness could arguably be the key to promoting happiness in our lives and the lives of others.
What’s more, it costs nothing to be kind and yet the rewards are immeasurable.
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
—HH the 14th Dalai Lama
The Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW) is a global charity with a mission to promote compassion and wisdom. FDCW offer secular resources, courses and training that explore and develop qualities such as kindness, patience and courage - qualities which are essential for meeting the challenges of the world we all share.
In this article we will be exploring the aspects of kindness, what it means, how it helps and how to be a kind person. We will also discuss how we sometimes have to be tough to be kind, how to overcome obstacles such as insecurity, distraction and judgement and how kindness can improve our relationships, health and be an antidote to depression and low-self esteem. Finally, we will be sharing tips on how the habit of kindness helps and can be incorporated into our daily lives.
The Definition of Kindness: What does it mean to be kind?
The quality of being generous, helpful, and caring about other people or an act showing this quality
Kindness is not just being generous or helpful or caring. It's about combining all these positive qualities. Each of these attributes can be used to categorise different types of kindness:
Generosity: providing food, money, gifts, and other useable items, for the receiver to keep. Generosity can also be expressed by giving and sharing your wisdom, like a mother teaching her child. When arising from a sense of caring and compassion for others and accompanied by the intention to bring benefit to the beneficiary, these generous acts are hugely beneficial to others and to oneself - they are an expression of kindness.
Helping: doing things for others to help them solve a problem or achieve a goal. Again, when helpful deeds arise from a sense of caring, being generous with your time and offering a helping hand to others is an expression of kindness.
Caring: tending to another person’s personal physical and/or emotional needs. When caring for someone in a practical sense which arises from a strong sense of compassion, this is both generous (with your time) and is offering practical help to another, the combination of which is an expression of kindness.
"I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
—Maya Angelou, USA
You cannot explore kindness without reference to Mother Teresa who devoted herself to promoting love and kindness.
"Although she is now known throughout the world, Mother Teresa's personal acts of kindness took place on a human scale. Her advice was: 'We can do no great things; only small things with great love.' She said to one man: 'If you can't feed 100 people then just feed one.' To another, who came asking what he could do for world peace, she responded 'Go home and love your family.'"
—16 Guidelines for Life, The Basics; How to Find Happiness and Meaning by Alison Murdoch and Dekyi Lee Oldershaw.
The Role of Kindness in the Survival of Living Beings
The importance of kindness cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in the survival of living beings. From the moment we enter this world, we depend on the kindness of others to meet our basic needs, such as food, shelter, and care. This reliance on others continues throughout our life, with countless individuals contributing to our well-being through their acts of kindness.
Nature offers numerous examples of the importance of kindness in the survival and well-being of living beings. Animals often display acts of altruism, working together to ensure their collective survival. For example, dolphins have been observed supporting injured members of their pods, while ants collaborate to find food and protect their colony.
These acts of kindness in nature demonstrate that compassion and cooperation are essential for the prosperity of living beings. Spreading kindness, whether through simple acts or larger gestures, make a big difference and can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to show kindness and ultimately making the world a better place for all.
Kindness is important not only for the functioning of human society but also for mental health and well-being. A society that embraces the practice of kindness would see a decrease in conflict, stronger communities, and enhanced happiness and well-being for all. Kindness fosters understanding, collaboration, and trust, which are all vital for a harmonious society.
As Mother Teresa said, "If you can't feed 100 people then just feed one." A small act of kindness can create a ripple effect, encouraging others to be kind and making a huge difference in the lives of many. By performing acts of kindness in our everyday lives, we can contribute to a more compassionate world and experience the numerous health benefits that come with it.
Kindness Beyond Comfort Zones: How to be Kind to Everyone
Practising kindness, particularly beyond our comfort zones, is a transformative act of generosity that can make a huge difference in our lives and those of others. This involves showing kindness, a small act that can have a big difference, not just to those we naturally feel affection for, but also to those who challenge us or who may not reciprocate. To underscore the importance of kindness, we need to remember that to truly change lives, kindness must extend to everyone we encounter in our human life - from friends and family to strangers and even those who may have wronged us.
Often, we find it easy to be kind to those we like and who are kind to us. However, real growth and the positive impact of kindness occur when we extend this positive behaviour to people beyond our comfort zone. This could mean being polite to someone who is rude, helping someone who is unappreciative, or offering a gift to someone who has rejected us. It's in these moments that kindness acts can be most powerful, promoting understanding, fostering relationships, and contributing to a more compassionate world.
How can we achieve this? One act of kindness could be providing a listening ear to someone having a bad day, or offering a kind word to uplift a friend going through a difficult time. We can also practice kindness in our everyday lives in the form of random acts, such as helping an elderly neighbour with yard work or giving a helping hand to a stranger carrying a heavy load. Remember, it's often the smallest acts, like just a smile or a kind word, that can create a ripple effect in someone's day.
The challenge, however, is not to let our own sense of insecurity or negative self-talk inhibit our acts of kindness. Being kind to everyone requires us to put aside judgement and distraction, to be present and attentive to the needs of others. This may be a difficult task, but the health benefits for our mental health and self-esteem make the effort worthwhile. Not only does kindness make us feel good by releasing feel-good hormones, but it also has a positive impact on our stress levels and overall well-being. In essence, showing kindness to everyone, without expectation of something in return, is a profound act of generosity that enriches our lives and the lives of those around us.
The Many Faces of Kindness: How it can be tough and loving
Kindness is often associated with gentleness, warmth, and compassion. However, it's important to recognise that kindness can also take on many different forms, including speaking strongly and exerting discipline. In fact, tough love can be a powerful expression of kindness, as it shows that we care enough about someone to push them to be their best selves.
One example of tough love is teachers or coaches who push their students to excel. While these teachers may appear strict or even harsh at times, their actions are driven by a deep desire to see their students succeed. By setting high expectations and holding their students accountable, they help them develop the skills and resilience needed to achieve their goals.
It's important to note that tough love is not the same as unkindness. The key difference is intention and attitude. Tough love is rooted in a desire to help others grow and develop, while unkindness is motivated by negativity, resentment, or a desire to control. As such, it's crucial to approach tough love with a positive and loving attitude, rather than one of criticism or judgment.
Overcoming Obstacles to Kindness: Insecurity, Distraction, and Judgment
While kindness is a powerful force for positive behaviour change, there are many obstacles that can get in the way of our ability to show kindness to others. Three common barriers to kindness are insecurity, distraction, and judgment. However, by identifying these obstacles and working to overcome them, we can unlock the secrets behind the importance of kindness for a happier life.
Insecurity can make it difficult to show kindness to others, even friends, as we may be preoccupied with our own worries, stress and concerns. To overcome this barrier, it's essential to practice self-care and self-compassion. By taking care of our own needs in our everyday lives and treating ourselves with kindness and avoiding negative self-talk, we can create a positive cycle of compassion that extends to those around us.
Distraction can also prevent us from showing kindness, as we may be too busy or preoccupied to notice the needs of others. To address this barrier, it's helpful to cultivate mindfulness and presence in daily life. By staying present and attentive to our surroundings, we can better recognise opportunities for kindness and act on them.
Finally, judgment can create a barrier to kindness, as we may be quick to judge or criticise others rather than show compassion. To overcome this obstacle, it's important to cultivate empathy and understanding. By putting ourselves in other people's shoes and striving to understand their experiences and perspectives, we can show kindness even in challenging situations or difficult times.
The Benefits of Kindness: Stronger Relationships and Better Health
When it comes to the importance of kindness for a happier life, one of the most significant benefits is the positive impact it has on our relationships and health. Spreading kindness can reduce stress levels and lead to more harmonious family lives, deeper friendships, and better physical health.
Research shows that acts of kindness can promote the release of oxytocin, a hormone that plays a critical role in social bonding and relationship building. This feel-good hormone helps us feel more connected to others, leading to stronger relationships with friends and more positive interactions.
Kindness has also been linked to better physical health, including lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, and improved immune system. This is likely due in part to the stress-reducing effects of kindness, as well as its ability to foster positive emotions and a more optimistic outlook on life.
There are countless stories of people who have experienced the benefits of kindness firsthand. From the elderly woman who was moved to tears by a kind gesture from a stranger to the cancer patient who was uplifted by the support of her community, acts of kindness can have a profound impact on our lives and well-being.
Kindness as an Antidote: Fighting Depression and Low Self-Esteem
Kindness is not only a powerful force for positive change in the world, but it can also be an effective antidote to depression and low self-esteem. By strengthening our connections with others and fostering positive emotions, kindness can help combat the negative effects of mental health issues.
Research shows that acts of kindness can have a significant impact on mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and increasing feelings of well-being. This is likely due in part to the social connections and positive emotions that these kindness acts foster, as well as the ability to reduce stress and promote a more optimistic outlook on life.
To incorporate kindness into daily routines as a way to improve mental well-being, consider small acts of kindness that can be done on a regular basis. This might include volunteering in the community, offering a listening ear to a friend in need, or simply taking a few moments to express gratitude for the people in our lives.
Developing the Habit of Spreading Kindness: Learning from Others and Practicing
Developing the habit of kindness is an essential step in unlocking the secrets behind the importance of kindness for a happier life. One effective way to learn from kind people is to observe their actions and attitudes towards others. By paying attention to how they show compassion, kindness and acts and empathy, we can begin to model our own behaviour after them and gradually stretch our ability to be kind.
Practical exercises and activities can also be helpful in practising kindness on a regular basis. Volunteering in the community, performing random acts of kindness, or simply making an effort to be more present and attentive in our interactions with others are all effective ways to cultivate kindness as a habit.
However, it's important to remember that making kindness a habit requires consistency and perseverance. It's not enough to simply practice kindness on occasion - we need to make it a regular part of our daily routines and interactions with others. By prioritising kindness and making a conscious effort to practice it every day, we can create a more positive and compassionate world for ourselves and those around us.
Conclusion: The Path to Happiness Through the Importance of Kindness in Our Everday Lives
In conclusion, unlocking the secrets behind the importance of kindness for a happier life is a journey that begins with recognising the power of kindness to create positive change in ourselves and the world around us. By showing a simple act of kindness to others, we can strengthen our relationships, improve our mental and physical health, and cultivate a more positive and compassionate world.
To incorporate kindness into our daily lives, we can start by observing and learning from kind people, practising regular acts of kindness, and making it a habit through consistency and perseverance. Whether it's volunteering in the community, offering a listening ear to a friend in need, or simply expressing gratitude for the people in our lives, small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on our own sense of well-being and that of others.
We should embrace the importance of kindness and make it a regular part of our daily routines. As a nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting compassion and wisdom, FDCW offers a wealth of resources and programs to help individuals cultivate kindness and compassion in their lives. By working together to create a more positive and compassionate world, we can all experience the many benefits of kindness and unlock the secrets to a happier life.
Interested in the 16 Guidelines?
Are you interested in learning more about the 16 guidelines?
If so check out 16 Guidelines For Life by Alison Murdoch and Dekyi-Lee Oldershaw.
The book was first published in this edition in 2009 and is now available as an ebook. Since the first 16 Guidelines book was published, it has inspired a range of practical projects - in schools, colleges, businesses, healthcare organisations, drug rehabilitation centres and prisons - around the globe.
The book provides a comprehensive introduction to the 16 Guidelines and the four Wisdom Themes with thought-provoking interpretations, role models and guided reflections.
It is an ideal companion resource for anyone with an interest in universal ethical values as represented by the 16 Guidelines. The download also includes a printable version of the 16G cards.
Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW)
At FDCW we are committed to a more compassionate, wiser world. We provide resources, courses and training to develop qualities such as kindness, patience and courage - qualities which are essential for meeting the challenges of the world we all share.
The Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW) was established as a global charity based in London in 2005. Since then we have provided secular training, programmes and resources across many sectors of society – schools, universities, hospices, workplaces, healthcare, youth groups and community centres. Our courses have reached thousands of people across the world through our dedicated and growing network of facilitators in more than 20 countries.
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