10 FREE Ways to Increase Your Kindness Quotient!
Ten actions you can put into action today to make the world a kinder and gentler place!
Kindness, beyond being the right and decent thing to show to others — and what Jesus calls us to be — also helps our mental health. Being kind to someone else gets us out of our own brains, which may be cluttered with “stinkin’ thinkin’” and gets us to a place of empathy with others.
Here are 10 actions you can take right now, and not one of them costs a dime:
1. The Traffic Wave: Do you remember the days when you merged — and used your blinker — you acknowledged the person who let you in with a wave? Let’s bring that one back.
2. Saying “Thank You:” A sincere “thank you” or “I appreciate you” shows that you see the effort another person has made.
3. Acknowledging people: A head nod or “How are you?” makes people feel seen.
4. Respect the value of time: Time is something once gone that cannot be replenished. Being on time, starting on time, finishing things on time shows you respect the value of someone else’s time.
5. Giving your full attention: I want others to know, as above, their time is valuable, but so is the fact that they are choosing to interact with me. Put your devices away, or whatever else you may be doing, and give the other person your full attention. It’s a sign of respect, and it shows that you feel that the other person, and their words, are important.
I struggled a lot with this in the past, but I’ve made a greater effort to be fully present in mind, body, and spirit.
6. Not interrupting: One of the things that makes me anxious, as someone with OCD, is forgetting.
I need to do better at writing things down before I forget, rather than interrupt, at risk of violating the full attention rule. Someone else’s thoughts are just as valuable as mine, so letting them finish — and having them know I wasn’t just biding time until I could talk — makes people feel heard.
7. RSVPing: I might as well confess this, too, because I don’t always RSVP, either. Now, part of it is social anxiety, yet, RSVPing shows respect for another person’s time, effort, and resources.
8. Saying “I’m sorry:”
If you are at fault and you are sincerely sorry, say it. I used to tell my kids I was sorry because everyone needs to know that no one is perfect. Additionally, it shows humility of heart.
9. Leaving little notes or a text or message: This shows others that they were on your heart and in your mind.
10: Sincere compliments: Tell someone that you like their hair or nails or compliment the color they are wearing. It makes them feel special.
“Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only that which is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.” — Ephesians 4:29.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” — Proverbs 25:11
Is there something you would add to this list? Comment below! Also, let me know which one you will put into practice first!
The timing point (number 4) doesn't get enough credit as an act of kindness. Most people frame lateness as just inconvenience, but framing it as disrespect for the non-renewable resource of time realy shifts the perspective. I've started implementing the full attention rule more consistently and it's suprising how much people notice when you're not half-present. The traffic wave nostalgia is real too, small gestures like that build community even among strangers.