RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS ARE REALLY GOOD FOR YOU AND DECEMBER KIND-VENT CALENDAR
Paying-it-forward makes us and the receivers feel good and it can create a ripple effect that transcends time and place. Besides, random acts of kindness are really good for our mental, emotional and physical health. Let’s exercise our kindness with my December 2019 Kind-Vent Calendar.
“We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
December is here! Not only that but it’s also the last month of this decade! The “roaring 20s” are upon us – only 30 days away!!!! So I thought, before this decade is gone, let’s go all out with a bang!
Even though December can be an overwhelming month: everyone feels antsy, you are exhausted from the year, ready for a break, yet there are parties to plan and to go to, work still to finish up, trips coming up, to-do lists, gift lists, planning for the end of the end year and beginning of the next… Whoa! So much going on. How to handle it all without burning out?
Well, we control what we can, as much as possible. The way to do this is by taking time every day to continue practicing gratitude (even when you don’t feel like it) and to pay-it-forward.
Why? Well, random acts of kindness not only make us and the recipients feel good but it’s also really good for our emotional, mental and physical health. Need me to say more?
“Remember there’s no such a thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams
The ‘paying-it-forward chain effect’
In 2017, customers of Starbucks in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, started the longest pay-it-forward chain the area has ever seen. In response to the customer behind who seemed a little upset with the delay in the drive-thru line, a customer in front paid for the coffee of the person behind him in line. He didn’t at that time realize that his small act of kindness would create a big chain effect. Almost everyone did the same, including the not-so-happy customer. At the time of the interview, over 160 customers have paid for the coffee of the person behind them. This pay-it-forward gesture created an all-around feel-good response. How wonderful!
According to Wikipedia, a random act of kindness is “…a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual… There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier.”
If you were on the receiving end of an act of kindness you know impactful this can be to someone’s day by making it better, brighter and happier. It’s a true act of selflessness, love, and compassion for others which pays dividends big time.
Kindness is very good for our health
So, why is kindness good for us?
Kindness generates happiness because it promotes gratitude, compassion, and connection. When we feel grateful and connected, we feel less stressed, less anxious, angry or depressed which leads to reduced physical body pain. Doing good makes us and the recipients feel good! When we feel good our brain releases dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin making us feel good, loved and happy, which makes the brain release dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, starting a big virtuous cycle.
Random acts of kindness are essential to our wellbeing as they free us from obsession, selfishness, and isolation; it connects us to the greater world.
When we give selflessly we feel a greater sense of belonging and being part of something bigger than us. We understand that we are not an island and that we need each other to survive and thrive. This feel-good and positive thinking helps us overcome obstacles more easily because our brain is now rewired and trained to look for the positive and find solutions first.
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end,” said Scott Adams. So, I urge you to continue spreading your gratitude and kindness, as it will always go a loooong way.
Need some ideas for December? I’ve got them for you! Here is my December Kind-vent calendar. Act away!
Download the FREE PDF here.
And here are some ideas for a Kid Kind-vent Calendar:
Download the FREE PDF version here.
These are some ideas to get you inspired and get started. As you can see I did not even number the days on this calendar AND gave you more than 31 ideas, just because…
Wishing you and yours a holiday season full of kindness, love, happy memories, and peace. We can all do a little bit and make our world a better place.
Love,
Miriam
P.S.: Oh, and feel free to share this email with anyone you think could benefit from it. It’s FREE!
Focusing on what matters most, let’s improve our communication and transform our interactions one conversation at a time.
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