9 Easy Ways to Be Kind to Humankind



August 25-31 has been dubbed Be Kind to Humankind Week. We decided to make a list of 9 out-of-the-norm (and some normal) ways to reach out and be kind to your fellow humans.

Offer help.
Randomly offer to help someone with a task. Rake their yard. Hoist their kayak onto their car. If you see someone bogged down with grocery sacks, offer to lighten their load. Chances are they’ll wave you off with a “no, thanks,” but no doubt the unexpected offer of help will be remembered.

Say thank you.
Crazy isn’t it? Two simple words can have a way of making someone’s day. I recently heard a story about someone who manned a drive-thru window, she said the amount of people who acknowledged her presence was minimal. As long as they got what they wanted, they didn’t even say a word or look her in the eye. A drive-thru window may seem like such a brief exchange, but it can still have an impact.

Be open to conversation.
We all have busy schedules, things to do, and places to be. We stand in line at the bank, the grocery store, the Department of Motor Vehicles. Each line is an opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know. Think about it; Every time you walk past a homeless person is also an chance to converse with someone who’s had a very different journey.

Give the benefit of the doubt.
If you live in an area that is prone to road rage, flipping people off, and flat out confrontation, this one might be difficult. Maybe they are going through something and maybe their not. Giving the benefit of the doubt can be a way to be kind to yourself, too, since it lets YOU off the hook from stressing about it.

Make extra soup.
And share some with your neighbor. I have a neighbor that was kind enough to help when we had an issue with our well. He didn’t have to come over, we didn’t ask, but he saw a window to help and he did. Since then, every time I make clam chowder or chicken noodle soup, I bring over a large bowl... And then he leaves me homemade beef jerky (and wine. and beer. and mead…. I think I’m making out in the deal here.) The point is we continue to help each other equally and that’s so awesome.

Smile.
Yep. Not much to it. A smile can go a long way.

Tell people you love them.
Even the difficult people. We all have reasons to not speak to someone who use to be close but has since drifted away. Maybe someone in our lives has changed so drastically we can’t stand to be around them. Whatever the case, if you love them, say it. It might be cliche to go on about how life is short and blah blah, but you have no idea when speaking lovey words might no longer be an option. Say them.

Get them a massage.
One of my favorite ways to be kind to humankind is massage. Surprised? Nah, didn’t think so. I could list for days the benefits of a great massage, but no one has time for that. Giving a gift certificate www.temassagetherapy.com for massage is really sending two messages: 1. I care about you. And 2. You should care for yourself. And who doesn’t love massage? (Ok, some people might not, so get them a gift certificate for a foot rub instead.)

Get you a massage
You count. Be kind to yourself. ‘Nuff said.

Be Kind to Humankind Week doesn’t have to be all big and flashy, unless you want it to be. If big and flashy is your thing -  have at it. There are so many ways to be kind; volunteer, join community organizations, and, if you’ve got them - act on those big ideas!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Improve your health with breath

Image
Breath. Such a simple thing. It’s essential to life, but yet how often do we think about it? It ebbs and flows throughout our days and we barely give it a second thought. September is Healthy Lung Month and we’re going to look at some ways our breath improves our health - including some techniques you can utilize today. Deep breathing can reduce anxiety Implementing a deep breathing technique when anxiety strikes can make the difference between a full on attack and an unwelcome blip in your day. Deep breathing lowers your heart rate, improves circulation and promotes clearer thinking. You can use your breath to calm down Let’s face it, when tempers flair it seems almost impossible to think about anything other than the current situation that set you off. Practicing simple breathing techniques can encourage calmness and help reverse the physical symptoms of anger.             TECHNIQUE for Anxiety and Calm ●  ...
Read more

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Massage

Image
When you think of massage therapy, what comes to mind? Perhaps you consider those aches and pains in your shoulders and neck, or maybe your sore, tired, or swollen legs, or even a way you can cope with excess stress. However, the therapeutic nature of massage therapy extends far beyond just relieving stiff muscles or alleviating stress and anxiety. You can actually ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome with massage therapy. So what exactly is carpal tunnel syndrome? Why do certain people develop carpal tunnel syndrome? And how does massage therapy improve your life if you are dealing with the pain and discomfort of carpal tunnel? What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a fairly common condition that affects the hand and wrist. It causes pain, numbness, tingling and weakness . This happens when there is an increase in pressure in the wrist, which compresses a nerve known as the median nerve, which runs through the wrist.   This median ...
Read more

How to Offer Support to Families Dealing with Cancer

Image
Families are in the trenches fighting cancer every day. If cancer hasn’t crossed your path, whether directly or through a loved one, consider yourself lucky. It’s easy to feel helpless when friends and people close to you are struggling. Since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we’re going to give you some simple things you can do to help those who are facing the dreaded “C” word. Do. Don’t ask. It’s easy to say, “let me know if you need anything.” What the family needs is someone to say, “hey, I’m making you dinner.” Or “I’m babysitting - just tell me what day (or night).” Don’t give them the burden of asking. Just offer it. Gift cards go a long way. Treatments can sometimes take a patient and family far from home. Do a little research and purchase gift cards for restaurants, hotel chains and gas stations near the hospital they are using. A gift subscription to Amazon Prime or Netflix may be helpful to someone who is bedridden. Some downtime and low key enter...
Read more