HUNT: Building a better world & the ripple effect of this one simple act
What if you could do one thing that improved your mental health, created positive relationships, boosted your feel-good hormones, and increased happiness? Would you do it?
What if there was a day dedicated to doing this one thing? Would you celebrate it?
The good news is, there is one thing that does all of that – kindness.
The act of being kind can reduce stress and anxiety. By being kind to others and doing acts of kindness you can increase your optimistic attitude and self-confidence.
Practicing kindness can support positive friendships and nurture trust in relationships. Acts of kindness can increase your body's production of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin – the feel-good hormones.
Being kind to yourself can encourage a space of inner peace and security in your life.
Kindness is contagious, and one act of kindness can lead to more. You may have been in the drive-through line at your favorite coffee shop and the car in front of you paid for your coffee. You in turn paid for the car behind you and so on. For that brief moment in time, those who participated in this paying-it-forward activity became joy builders by spreading kindness.
All of this together builds to increase happiness and joy in your life and in the life of others. It creates a world with more meaning. And it may surprise you to know that yes, there is a day dedicated to celebrating kindness. Every year, November 13th is World Kindness Day. Since it began in 1998, World Kindness Day offers an opportunity to intentionally increase the common thread of kindness.
Don't you agree that the sound of that is lovely... a day dedicated to kindness? As you read this the day has passed, but why not intentionally be kind every day? It doesn't take much to make the world a happier place by making kindness a part of your personality. Part of your daily routine. Part of your life.
Offer to help someone when you see a need. Say a kind word to someone you don't know or normally wouldn't talk to. Share a smile, let someone go in front of you at a checkout line, and say thank you. These types of little gestures count. Start small and watch your ability to be kind grow. Once you realize the benefits of being kind you will become kinder.
Today, do that one thing that can change so much in life for the better. Be kind
What will you do to spread the joy of kindness?
Can you do at least one kind thing today? And when you do, pay attention to how it makes you feel.
We can (and should) normalize kindness. Can you imagine the ripple effect if everyone in the world intentionally practiced kindness – not just on World Kindness Day, but every day?
Kindness can make a difference.
Kindness does matter.
Pennie's Life Lesson: Kindness is contagious, and one act of kindness can lead to more.
Pennie Hunt is from Rapid City. She is the author of the books, "Love Your Life- ips to Create Joy and Happiness, "Love Your Life- ips to Journey Through Grief and Loss," and "Love Your Life- NO MATTER WHAT -76 Tips to Live Life With Love and Gratitude." She is a professional speaker and member of the National Speakers Association. Find her "Corner of Spirit & Brave" at www.PennieHunt.com Email:
