Be Kind to Yourself First!

There are people out there who do many good things for many people, or do amazingly good things on one particular person. We celebrate these people, and thank them sometimes, (and sometimes not). Regardless of the celebrations and thanks though, these amazing kind people keep on doing their kind things, because that's the kind of people they are.

If you are one of these lovely kind people, whether a worker, volunteer,

loved one or community member, thank you very much. Your actions deserve to be front page news, because it's people like you who make our lives worth living. You help out for little or no pay, you step in and do things when needed, where others would step away and do nothing.

Your are kind to many, and possible too few thank you for all you do. The thanks are not why you do the kind things you do, you simply believe in doing the right and kind thing. I thank you for the good and kind things you do, You help to make the whole world a better place for all, because you show everyone around you that good things happen, and believing in the possibility of good can warm our hearts and keep us going when things seem too hard.

So, many thanks you, you wonderful kind people, but ... There's always a but, isn't there. This is an important one, please pay attention to this ... Doing good for others is a wonderful thing to do, but the most important person you must always remember to do good things for, the person you should be kind to first, is YOURSELF!

If you're always too busy being kind to other people, and never have any time left to do good things for yourself, you will burn out, the well of kindness will dry up and you will eventually not be able to do anything at all, no good things and no kind actions, you will have run out of the good things. The best way to refill your well of kindness is to top it up regularly, and the easiest way to keep on top of that is to do good things for yourself first!

Yes YOU, put your name at the top of the list of people to be kind to, to good things for, because when you are kind to yourself, you have more to give to other people. Being good to yourself doesn't drain the well of kindness, it fills it up. So when your a parent, and you want to reward your child with something yummy, because they've done something well, Get yourself something yummy too.

If you're helping someone with their garden, or their shopping, get something good for yourself from the garden - a flower, a strawberry, a cutting, or buy yourself something extra while you're buying the shopping for the other person.

If you're taking someone out for the day, why not take them somewhere you want to go too, not just where they want to go. The kinder you are to yourself, the happier and more productive you'll be, give it a try, and see for yourself!

Being Kind to this lonely little blog ...

I've been neglecting this blog shamefully. It's done nothing wrong, it doesn't deserve to be neglected like this. I wrote a comment on a friend's Facebook page a little while ago. I like the comment, and it's had some interesting response from others.

After I read my comment again, I thought, hmm, where could I further expand on this thought? And the answer that came to me, was, to write about it on this blog. It's totally relevant to the blog, being about kindness...

So this was my comment:

'Always be kind to yourself, at least as kind as you are to those you love.'

I truly believe this to be true. I always give myself the benefit of the doubt. I deserve that, just as I believe other people deserve it too. I try to consider my actions though, to decide whether I actually deserve the kindness I've given to myself. I'm not perfect, no human being is. Sometimes I'm lazy, selfish, thoughtless and so on. But on considering the reasons why I fail to achieve perfection, I can find answers to help me next time...

With the blogging thing, neglecting this blog, which probably could be a much more widely used blog, I know the reasons for the neglect, to some extent. I got hooked on blogging and went overboard with it, first one blog, then two and now suddenly I have hmm, I'm not really sure how many, perhaps twelve...

I go to some of them more often. The ones relevant to possible money making things, get the most attention, as is a good idea, I feel. This blog here though, a blog about being kind, well surely that should get more attention. There is a terrible deficit of kindness in the world. People feel bad, they lash out at others, and kindness is completely forgotten ...

I remember the kindness issue though. In my comments online, I try to be kind. In my dealings with others in 'the real world' I try to be kind. I know other people appreciate my kindness, because they tell me so. I hope I am spreading a network of kindness. 

Do you know someone who could do with some kindness? Let them know you care, tell them and show them in your actions that you care. You will both benefit from it. If the someone who needs the kindness, well, what a great start it would be, to do something nice to yourself. Think of something you'd like to do, see, hear, and do it - plant something, taste something, see something, and enjoy being kind to yourself!

Be Kind and You Will Be Rewarded.

I try to do kind things every day. Sometimes it may be a kind smile to a friend, sometimes it may be something bigger. It always makes me feel better about myself and about the world in general.

Yesterday I needed help to do something and my needs were met. I was driving home from shopping and I needed some more petrol in my tank. The shopping had made me tired, and I wasn't sure if I would have enough strength in my right hand to activate the nozzle.

I got out of the car, hooked the nozzle up to my car's petrol tank, and got a trickle of fuel before my strength gave way. Just as I thought. I knew I would be able to full my tank a trickle a go, but it would completely take my strength away, and I was still a fair way from where I was going next.

I looked around for help and a van pulled up next to my car. I walked over to the person getting out of the van and smiled. I then explained what my problem was and asked it they would be able to help me.

The fellow said he was glad to help and came over and filled the tank for me much more quickly than I would have been able to. We chatted as the tank filled and he told me about a time when he did something nice for someone. That weekend he had a win of $1000 in X-Lotto!

This was amazing proof of the idea that Kindness is Rewarded. Sometimes the reward may only be the good feeling you get about yourself, but sometimes the reward can be much more!

I'm not saying necessarily that the kindness that man showed to another actually made the X-Lotto win occur, but it certainly made that man value the rewards of being kind even more. I thanked this man most profusely and wished him all the luck he deserved!

So this is a message to that man, whose name is Roger. Thank you so much Roger for being kind to someone in need!

It is also a message to everyone - Be Kind and You Will Be Rewarded!

Something to be Proud of

Today was a great day. In the morning I went to the Gawler Show. I had two free tickets to get in and I decided to find someone to give one of the tickets to.

The first people I found who didn't have tickets already looked like a lovely older couple. I smiled and approached them asking them if they were nice people. They said they were so I offered them the ticket.

They were very grateful and thanked me a lot. I said it was OK, and I hoped they would do something nice for someone else. They said they would and we all went in to the show.

I had a lovely day, feeling good about myself and people in general. Just think what a wonderful world it could be if we all did this kind of thing whenever we got the chance to!

I hope you would/will do this sort of thing. Even a heartfelt smile can do wonders, both for you and for the person you are smiling at.

Being Kind Leads to More Kindness

I am learning, over and over again, that being kind to others leads to them being kind to other people. Whether they are kind to you, returning your kindness, or being kind to others, kindness begets kindness.

If someone you know is having a bad day, but you don't know how to help them, a simple act of kindness, a smile or a sympathetic hand on the shoulder can be a help. Some people don't like to be a burden to others, and won't ask for help.If you know someone like that who is struggling through their life, connect to them, listen to their story.

Sometimes just being able to articulate your woes can be a relief. A burden shared is a lighter load. You may be able to offer options to help with their problems, a second person can sometimes see things the first person may not have thought of.

Even if you can't solved that person's problems, at least they know they are no longer struggling all on their own. Be the one who helps someone turn the corner.

Kindness is a Gift that Gives Back to You

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.--The Dalai Lama

You can always rely on the Dalai Lama for a good quote. And by 'good' I mean an intelligent. thoughtful and thought-provoking quote.

Being compassionate toward others will help you to be happy, whether the or not ones you are being compassionate to realise what you have done for them. Compassion is part of 'The Golden Rule' - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you from Christianity. Other world religions have the same kind of thought.

Compassion just feels good! If you help another person, you will get a warm feeling within which is increased when the person receiving your kindness says thank you.

If you ever feel down in the dumps, try giving kindness to others, you may receive back a hundredfold, and be uplifted!

Creating New Words

Hello,

this is slightly off topic, but I think my new word which I thought of the other day, is one that is very relevant to this blogsite.

My new word is Everlicious - an adjective referring to things that are always yummy, like chocolate, or things that are cute - puppies and kittens, or things from nature that are beautiful like rainbows and flowers.

If you set your mind to it, you should be able to find everlicious things in your life, every day. Finding everlicious things and thinking about them can help you to turn around a rotten day, as you think of the good things you have in your life.

You may like a particular painting, and find it everlicious, or you might think a certain meal is everlicious. If you try, you should be able to find at least two things every day that are everlicious to you. Sunsets, sunrises, rain after a drought, a swim on a hot day, these things can all be everlicious.

Having a mindset focussed on everliciousness will help you to find the good in others, or help you to find ways to help other people. Helping other people, or being kind to them, can be the most everlicious thing you can do!