I recently attended the #2015DFK event in Red Bank NJ. Dance for Kindness is a worldwide event that celebrates and raises awareness of kindness. Held in 100 cities in 50 different countries around the world on the same day, thousands of people gathered to perform a freeze mob/flash mob to the same song and dance. This is one of the many projects of Life Vest Inside, a not for profit organization, whose mission is To Empower and Unite the World with Kindness.
Imagine that, thousands of people coming together to promote KINDNESS.
During the event, I passed out Act of Kindness Cards to the spectators passing by. Similar to a business card, Act of Kindness Cards have suggestions written on them encouraging recipients to perform the act and pass the card to someone else to keep the kindness going. You can get some HERE!
It was an amazing experience! As I handed out my Kindness Cards, I talked to the folks who were visiting Red Bank that day. One group in particular, touched my heart. The older gent said he was just reading about how kindness was diminishing in our culture and was pleased to see living proof that kindness is alive and kicking. Another woman was so inspired that she was going to encourage her granddaughter to coordinate a dance in their area next year.
Kindness is contagious!
All this got me thinking about all the random acts of kindness bestowed upon me. By the way, this is a really good exercise to do every night before going to bed. We tend to move so fast throughout the day and don’t get to really take in all the precious gems that occurred during the day. It’s like re-watching a movie because you were distracted the first time around and were not able to appreciate it.
There are all the little things, like having someone genuinely smile at me which instantly brings me back to the present moment. Or, when someone picks up the lunch check, or makes me a cup of coffee unexpectedly, or pays me a compliment especially when I really needed a confidence boost, or how I always find the windshield washer fluid in my car filled, or when a BFF calls me unexpectedly just when I needed some support, oh this list can go on and on.
And then there are the big things, like when a previous boss gave me a huge chunk of money so I can purchase my current house, or when my husband dropped everything to come to Costco to jump start my car when my battery died, or when my daughter told me recently how grateful she was for all the things we do for her and she only hopes that one day she can give back to us (insert my heart swelling with joy here). This list goes on and on, too!
What does kindness have to do with your health? More and more scientific evidence shows that being kind makes a difference on the well-being and health of individuals who practice, receive, and witness it. Yes, kindness has a positive three way effect – on the recipient, the giver, and those who witness it.
Here are just a few of the many benefits of kindness. KINDNESS:
- increases your own happiness
- is contagious, kindness breads more kindness
- reduces worry and anxiety
- increases confidence and self-esteem
- reduces cortisol levels (stress hormones)
- releases feel good hormones
- helps mental health
- increases the immune systems
- increases energy
- slows down aging
Don’t forget that all this kindness applies to you, too! Our inner critic can become quite nasty at times. If you find your inner mean girl (or guy) getting too loud, flip the switch and practice a little self-love, just like you would do with a child or your BFF.
So go ahead and start something big by sharing a little kindness. It’s not only good for you and all those around you, it’ll create a ripple effect that will touch others’ lives and inspire kindness everywhere the ripple goes.
“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.” —The 14th Dalai Lama (1935)
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” —Leo Buscaglia
