In short: Kindness is one of the simplest and most powerful things we can share. A small kind gesture can brighten someone’s day, ease a difficult moment, and travel much further than we ever see. And it comes back to us too: giving is its own reward. So don’t be shy. Let kindness set your day.
Kindness extends the light within us and reaches the light in others
Kindness is an ideal that is easily within reach for all of us. We all know that a little act of kindness can make our days easier and more enjoyable. Even just remembering a moment of kindness can make you smile, days or weeks later, and encourage you to pass it on. It may seem so simple as to be insignificant, but kindness is a powerful virtue. It’s perhaps the easiest way to live and share all the great ideals of humanity. We can always choose to act from the best place in ourselves, to recognise the highest potential in another person, even with the smallest gestures, and to nourish the seed of hope in every soul we meet.
In a way, kindness is like the oil that makes the engine of our world run more easily and smoothly. We would still get where we’re going without it, but the way there is more pleasant, and everyone around us can share in the kinder world we’re helping to shape. How wonderful that kindness knows no limits and is open to everyone. When we act on our ideals, we make them our reality. Rather than living life as a struggle and a competition, we can make our experience a simpler, more joyful one, shared with our fellow citizens of the world.
Whether we let someone pass in traffic or go ahead of us in a queue, make a donation or open our homes in a crisis, with every choice we make, we actively give and create a world of kindness. The smallest gesture can bring out a smile, light up the shadow of an uncomfortable situation, or ease the tension of a difficult task, and its effects can ripple out far beyond the moment. We may well receive kindness in return, but giving is the true reward. Kindness extends the light within us and reaches the light in others, giving us all a glimpse of the brightness that lights up our world.
A few small ways to let kindness set your day
Smile at the person behind the counter, and ask how their day is going.
Send a message to someone you’ve been thinking about, just to say so.
Say thank you, and say what you’re thankful for. I wrote about this in The benefits of expressing appreciation.
Offer a hand to a neighbour, share some vegetables from the garden, or bring soup to a friend who’s unwell. There are more ideas in Love in action: making a difference in the world.
And don’t forget yourself. Speak to yourself as kindly as you would to a dear friend. Kindness towards yourself is where it all begins, and it’s at the heart of self-compassion.
So don’t be shy... let kindness set your day!
Frequently asked questions
What are simple acts of kindness I can do every day?
A smile, a sincere thank you, holding a door, letting someone go first, a message to a friend, listening properly when someone talks to you. The smallest gestures often mean the most.
Why does being kind make us feel good?
Because kindness connects us with other people, and connection is one of the deepest sources of joy we have. Giving warms the giver as much as the one who receives.
How can I be kinder to myself?
Notice how you speak to yourself, especially when things go wrong, and try to use the words you’d use with a good friend. Rest when you’re tired, and give yourself credit for what you do.
When should I talk to my doctor?
If you’ve been feeling low, lonely or very hard on yourself for weeks, or if everyday life feels too heavy, please talk to your doctor. Being kind to yourself also means asking for support when you need it.
Would you like some help?
Looking after yourself with kindness, at the table and in the way you speak to yourself, is at the heart of how I work. It runs through my group programmes in nutrition and health, such as Six Tuesdays in Montignac. If you’d like to hear when the next group opens, write to me at hello@catherinepolet.coach.
Or book a free 20-minute call. I also coach one to one online, wherever you live, and I’d be happy to hear from you.
About Catherine
I’m Catherine Polet, a holistic nutrition health coach, yoga and autogenic training teacher for more than 30 years, author and speaker. I help people find a way of eating and living that suits their own body, online in English, French, Spanish and German, and in person in Southwest France.
