Boost your Happiness by Cultivating Kindness

Did you know that we’re genetically wired to be kind?

Research led by world-renowned kindness scientist and best-selling author David Hamilton reveals that kindness changes the brain, impacts the heart and immune system, and may even be an antidote to depression. He also explores how kindness has evolved in us, and that its effects are felt daily throughout our nervous systems; when we're kind, our bodies are healthiest.

It' starts with a choice.

Do you sometimes feel like you're living in a cycle of negativity? Regular challenging news updates can play a big part in how we feel, whether it’s reports of an economic downturn, a tragedy or natural disaster, or an act of senseless violence; it can leave you feeling despaired.

It's easy to become wrapped up in all the negativity and stressors of life, and forget about the good things. However, there is something you can do to break this cycle; you can choose to focus on cultivating kindness. Sounds simple, yet it’s incredibly powerful.

When you make a conscious effort to be kind to others, it can help you see the world in a different, more positive light. Not only do you help improve the lives of those around you, you also boost your own happiness in the process.

Cultivating kindness means making a conscious effort to be kind. It's about choosing to focus on the positive things in life, and taking actions that will boost happiness for yourself and others.

Cultivating kindness doesn't have to be a big, life-changing event. It can be something as simple as taking notice of the people and things in your life that make you smile, or being more patient with the people around you.

It's also important to remember that kindness is not the same as being nice. Nice people are polite and well-mannered, yet this doesn’t mean they necessarily go out of their way to help others. It’s a conscious choice to do this.

Kind people exhibit qualities such as self-compassion, and compassion and empathy for others. They want to make a difference in the world and they're willing to put in the effort to make that happen.

WHY IS KINDNESS SO IMPORTANT?

I don't know what's changed in our world over the last few decades, but it feels overall like there's more self-interest and less caring for others these days. I wonder whether it's because we're so focused on our phones, on the internet, on social media, on success, on getting ahead? There are so many people showcasing themselves and their achievements, it's everywhere....and so few mentions of kindness.

The Oxford Dictionary defines kindness as:

the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

and I love the idea that it encompasses friendliness and consideration of others. In this era of the "Me Generation" we can lose that all important thoughtfulness and connection as we rush through life trying to tick all the boxes to become all that we're planning to be.

A smile can change someone’s day.

Sounds too simple, right? But sometimes the simple gestures that cost you nothing to give away have the biggest impacts. Simply making it a point to smile—and encouraging your girls to do the same when the moment and mood are right for them—is an easy way to pass on a bit of kindness and friendliness in your troop meetings, on field trips, and beyond.

Use kind words. Kids learn how to speak to others and what to say by watching those around them. Make it a point to display kindness with your words. When your troop arrives at a field trip location, greet your host warmly. Use "please" and "thank you" anytime they're appropriate.

Reflect on good turns. Completing an act of kindness by doing "a good turn" is great, but to make sure the lesson sticks encourage your troop members to reflect on the impact their good turn had on someone. Make it a part of the opening of every troop meeting for girls to share one good turn and how it made someone else’s day better.

And finally, be the kindness role model your girls need. Kids mimic the behavior they see, so if you are prone to getting upset and frustrated with another volunteer or troop member and they see that, they’re more likely to react the same way. But if you are able to take a deep breath and respond in tough moments with kindness, your girls will see that as well and remember how you reacted. While you are one of many adults in their lives, you just might be the one to make this lesson stick. Practice it often!

Consciously choosing to cultivate kindness in our thoughts, words, and actions can sow the seeds of positive change, both within ourselves and in the world around us. 🌱

Kindness is a practical yet transformative force that can enrich our lives on multiple levels, from being a source of joy and fulfillment to building strong and supportive communities to acting as a beacon of inspiration that has the power to create a more compassionate and truly interconnected world.

Imagine dropping a pebble into a pond . . .

The initial splash represents a single act of kindness. As the ripples spread outward they touch distant shores, symbolizing the far-reaching effects that one small act can have.

Kindness has the potential to create a positive cascade of change, not just outwardly in the lives of those we touch but also inwardly within our own being.

This beautiful reciprocity underscores the inherent truth that when we cultivate kindness, we simultaneously create a more harmonious and interconnected world while enriching our own inner landscape.