Everyone has their own unique way of showing kindness. There are the obvious things we think of when we think of acts of kindness, like opening the door for someone, letting someone go ahead of you in line, and saying please and thank you. Some acts of kindness are more subtle, like giving dignity to others through making eye contact, smiling, and truly listening.
Some acts of kindness can literally change the trajectory of a person's life, like taking a chance on someone by giving that person a job for which he or she isn’t fully qualified. Some acts of kindness even rise to the profound, like becoming a foster parent to a child who’s been mistreated, leaving the corporate world to help others by working for a non profit organization, or working in a very difficult line of work because what you’re able to do helps people who are unable to do it themselves.
Your unique brand of kindness may not be obvious to you. We tend to dismiss the things that come easily to us. We don’t give ourselves credit for many of the good things we do because there is no fanfare, no news crews covering the events, and often, no gratitude from the recipient of the kindness.
Think about every time you’ve helped someone, especially those times when you didn’t feel like it. Consider the times you’ve gone to work or to a committee meeting or to visit a friend when you didn’t feel like it. Every time you follow through when you don’t feel like it, it’s an act of kindness. You’ve put others before yourself.
You have probably given many acts of kindness that you never gave yourself credit for. These are the things that you were able to do nearly effortlessly. This type of kindness is your "no big deal." If your a hair dresser, it may be "no big deal" to do a foster teen's hair for the prom. If you are an automobile mechanic, it may be "no big deal" to do an oil change for someone you know cannot afford it. If you know how to sew, it may be "no big deal" to hem the uniform pants of someone who will lose her job without them. If you love to cook, it may be "no big deal" to prepare a meal for someone who's ill. Whatever you've done that was "no big deal" is an act of kindness that made our world better.
Connect with me at www.facebook.com/rhondasciortino and share some of your acts of kindness. You’ll inspire many and be setting an excellent example for others. I’m eager to hear about your ACTS OF KINDNESS.
About the author: Rhonda Sciortino, author of Successful Survivors, used the coping skills from an abusive childhood to achieve real successwhich she measures by good relationships, good health, peace, joy, and financial prosperity. Through her writing, speaking, and media appearances, she shares how others can use the obstacles in their lives as stepping stones to their real success. Rhonda can be reached at rhonda@rhonda.org.