Show A Little Kindness
Stop and think for a moment… when was the last time someone showed you a kindness? Maybe it was a grand gesture, or perhaps just something simple. For me, it was the stranger who held the elevator door as it was about to close.
Stop and think again: How did you respond to that act of kindness? Did you barely notice and move on with your day? Or did you pause and let it encourage you? Someone once told me that learning to graciously receive kindness is a vital part of our personal growth. Unfortunately, genuine kindness is becoming a rare trait in our society. Too often, it feels as if kindness only happens when there’s something in it for us.
That's why it’s so important to intentionally recognize and receive the kindness shown to us.
Here are three simple ways to respond thoughtfully when someone shows kindness:
Acknowledge the kindness: A simple "thank you" goes a long way.
Appreciate the moment: Take a moment to genuinely reflect on how nice it is that someone showed you kindness.
Act on it: Decide to extend kindness to someone else.
When the stranger held that elevator door, I thanked him, stepped in, took a moment to appreciate his gesture, and committed to doing the same for someone else. That brief interaction encouraged me to be intentional in showing kindness, even in this small way.
When we choose to Acknowledge, Appreciate, and Act when receiving kindness, we will make a difference.
—Larry
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