I know... December is a crazy month - especially after the year we've had. And here we are trying to figure out what a COVID Christmas looks like. So, I have one final challenge for 2020 and it will literally be the best gift you can imagine. Imagine a world with people who demonstrate care and compassion rather than stress and division. Imagine a holiday season where gifts of kindness were treasured like those of silver and gold. Imagine how different things would be if each of us intentionally adopted the "pay it forward" attitude!
My personal challenge to you is to help create that world. Let's face it... 2020 has been a tough year. What better way to bring it to a close than with kindness. Will you join me in the 7-Day Kindness Challenge? For the next 7 days, carry out at least one random act of kindness for family, friends, and strangers.
Being kind is pretty self-explanatory, but there are countless ways express it. Some of the most powerful gifts of kindness cost nothing and take a few minutes of your time. Whether it is leaving a note about kindness for someone else to find on the subway or sending a text to a friend to simply say, I'm thinking about you," kindness is one of the simplest ways to make a significant impact.
"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart
Recent research proves that just seven days of small, random acts of kindness is enough to bring significantly more joy to your life. One study conducted by Oxford scientists recruited almost 700 people to perform small acts of kindness for seven days. Then they compared their happiness, life satisfaction, compassion, trust, positivity, and human connection levels before and after. They found that more acts of kindness correlated with greater happiness.
"Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.” – Theodore Isaac Rubin
Just as a bully can foster a culture of fear, so can an altruist foster kindness in others. We're social creatures and we get emotional cues from those around us. Why not take the lead? Be the kind person from whom others take their cues. Be the person who creates positive ripples in the world with a spirit of kindness, compassion, and generosity.
Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams
“A fight is going on inside me,” said an old man to his son. “It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The same fight is going on inside you.”
The son thought about it for a minute and then asked, “Which wolf will win?”
The old man replied simply, “The one you feed.”
— Wendy Mass, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
