Advent kindness

My theme this week is to find unity with all the people of the world (only a small thing). One way I do that is to try to be in harmony with the people I interact with, and one way I do that is to work at being a kinder person.

I practice kindness with many small acts and habits, like using polite language, gracefully waiting my turn, using a gentle tone of voice, and offering help, a compliment, or a simple smile. 

Agenda Today:

1. Journal queries

2. Set intentions

3. Random acts of daily kindness

1. Journal queries:

To whom do I need to show greater kindness?

How can I bring mindfulness to my intention for unspectacular acts of kindness in the ordinary setting of every day?

2. Set intentions:

Kindness is so simple, but it requires great dedication and openness. It’s hard to be kind when I am self-focused or lazy. I want to be persistently kinder in word and deed, more openhanded with the kindness that requires time and inconvenience, and better able to be kind in the face of the meanness of others.

When I commit to being kind, I give my life greater meaning and depth. This week I intend to-

• Practice holding my tongue; less snapping at people!
• Practice using kind words even in my inner dialogue (“She has a generous heart” rather than “What an idiot.”) .
• When I am impatient, cruel, or clumsy, just take a breathe, accept myself as I am, apologize, and gather my resolve to begin again.
• Extend kindness also to animals, plants, and the Earth.
• Try to follow through with any strong, generous impulse that comes into my heart - if it is mostly reasonable.

3. Random Acts of Kindness:

Intentions are nice, but I also need to plan concrete actions. Each day I will brainstorm new ways to be kind; when I challenge my creative juices, it becomes a fun exercise.

I will spend this week on a Kindness Blitz, extending kindness in every role and aspect of my life and to every person and animal that I meet; use kind words, show appreciation, send notes, give attention, offer help, and smile.

This page has a good list of Random Acts of Kindness, and I enjoy this Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Advent Calendar. (Many of these will need a twist of creativity to be useful this pandemic holiday season!)