Connecting with nature improves health. One of my most memorable childhood lessons about kindness toward nature came from a television commercial advertising a decidedly unnatural product. If you’re as old as I am, you might remember the Chiffon margarine commercial with the catchy, infinitely repeatable phrase, “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” For those of you who’ve never seen …
Encouraging Your Kids to be Volunteers
Caring for one another is innate. Scientific experiments have shown that babies and toddlers as young as 15 months will recognize others’ need for assistance, and will lend assistance without prompting. Still, as we grow older, we might find ourselves losing some steam when it comes to helping others. A 2013 study by the Charities Aid Foundation found that only …
Getting Inspired by Kindness
Everyone can recognize a kind act when they see it, but what is it that inspires these acts of kindness? Maybe it is because we are in a good mood, or perhaps it is simply mimicking another’s behavior. Sometimes it could be out of guilt, another time it might simply be a case of “being in the right place at …
A Closer Look at KIND
When you think of the word KIND, you might not give it a second thought. It is after all, just a word, right? Well, let’s take a closer look at the word KIND. If you break it down it does have the word KIN in it. When you think of “Kin” you might think of Kinship, or Kindred Spirit or …
5 Steps To A Sincere Apology
As much as I strive to be kind, there are days when I fail miserably. I’ll wake up in a bad mood, the kids will be cranky, and a million little things won’t go my way. My hormones will be unstable, the budget won’t balance, and I’ll get some terrible news. Life will weigh me down – it happens to …
How animals inspire kindness
I admit it — I am a bona fide animal lover. One look in my house — with my two dogs, four cats, two frogs and a turtle — and it is hard to deny that I literally live in a zoo. But you don’t need to be pet owner or animal lover to see how animals can inspire kindness …
The Two Main Flavors of Feedback: Mean vs. Kind
Life is full of choices. Every day people must choose either this or that – not both. Some choices are simple – some complex. Some choices are black-and-white, while others are gray. In the workplace, feedback (the constructive sort) and kindness are often positioned as opposites – as a black-and-white choice. We can be kind and not give feedback OR …
A Memorable Act of Kindness
When I was pregnant with my first child, at 38 weeks, I went to the doctor for a weekly appointment, and the doctor informed me we would be unexpectedly inducing labor that evening. “Can’t I think about it?” I asked. “No,” the doctor said, “I’m calling the hospital to schedule you now.” I knew that labor and birth were coming, but I …
No Act of Kindness is Too Small
Ever feel yourself wanting to do something good for a person or your community, but feel like no matter what idea you come up with, it just doesn’t feel like “enough”? This is a mistake that many people, including myself, make. Kindness doesn’t have to be a case of “go big or go home”. Kindness isn’t about superheroic feats of generosity (although …
Photo Karma Kindness
There’s still a few weeks left of summer and with August now upon us, it’s the height of summer vacation season. While you’re off traveling or out doing cool stuff this month, surprise someone having a good time and offer to take their picture. I love taking pictures and I believe in Photo Karma. Don’t wait to be asked. Pay it forward by being that …