The Daily Kindness Digest #1481
Kindness Quote
“One thing I do know for a fact is that the nicer we are to our fellow human beings, the nicer the universe is to us.”
Joe Rogan
Act of Kindness
Look back at the many different ways people have shown you love and support and find ways to show that same love and support back!
Positive Affirmation
Today I will stay positive! I can choose my attitude and how I want to feel! I won’t let any obstacles that come my way change me.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1480
Kindness Quote
“That is what compassion does. It challenges our assumptions, our sense of self-limitation, worthlessness, of not having a place in the world, our feelings of loneliness and estrangement. These are narrow, constrictive states of mind. As we develop compassion, our hearts open.”
Sharon Salzberg
Act of Kindness
Sometimes a smile is all it takes to change our mood. Do something creative to help put a smile on someone’s face today!
Positive Affirmation
Today I will let go of all my bad feelings! They can’t hold me back anymore! I will focus on the positive! Good vibes only!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1479
Kindness Quote
“I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better.”
Georg C. Lichtenberg
Act of Kindness
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve known someone or what’s going on, today be a friend and be there for someone who needs your support.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will be stronger than I was yesterday! I will use the lessons and experiences from the past to grow and enlighten the future!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1478
Kindness Quote
“It is the characteristic of the magnanimous man to ask no favor but to be ready to do kindness to others.”
Aristotle
Act of Kindness
Waking up to a surprise is always fun 🙂 Leave a muffin and cup of coffee or tea for a family member, roommate, or friend : )
Positive Affirmation
Today I will think of myself with a positive and empowering attitude!
Kindness Media
The Best Ways to Be Kinder to Yourself
How critical are you of yourself? How often do you catch yourself putting yourself down, saying horrible things about yourself, or even actively calling yourself bad names in front of others? How often do you wish you were someone else, or a better version of yourself, or downright hate who you are right now in your life?
The truth is, so many of us feel this way about ourselves, and the chances are you spend so much of your life criticising and being far too harsh on yourself when in fact, you’re right where you need to be on your journey. By being able to accept yourself by being kind to yourself, you can start to grow. Being constantly blunt to yourself will only shatter your self-confidence and keep you stunted where you are right.
So, how do you be kinder to yourself? In today’s guide, we’re going to explore some of the best techniques you need to know.
Have Actual You Time
How much of your life do you actually spend with yourself? Like genuinely having time where you do the things you enjoy for no other reason than you actually enjoy it, and that thing makes you happy. With general life and the expectations of others playing in our minds, the chances are you do this little of the time.
It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, whether you’re writing stories, playing an instrument, being creative, going for a walk, playing video games, listening to music, cooking food, or anything in-between, do something that you enjoy and makes you happy. This is one of the best ways to love yourself.
Focus on Your Strengths
Every single human being has strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important that you acknowledge both. Many of us focus on how bad we are at something and ask why we can’t get better at the things we can’t do, but this is such a self-restricting way to look at life.
Instead, focus on your strengths and lean into what you’re good at and what you do best in life. Maximise your opportunities where you can lean into what you’re good at. At the same time, make sure you’re doing what you can to minimise the impact that your weaknesses can have on you. For example, if you’re not good around people, acknowledge this and aim to focus mostly on intimate connections with a small group of people.
Don’t Settle. Never Settle.
You deserve the world, and if you’re going out to make things happen, then you can go all the way. Some of the biggest obstacles many people have in their lives, especially when it comes to their relationships or life goals. People believe they aren’t capable, so take what they can get without aiming for more. For some reason, they’re scared or believe themselves to be incapable of achieving more and therefore settle for whatever they have now.
Do this, and you’ll look back on time gone past, and you’ll be full of regret if you realise that you could have done more. Push yourself. See how far you can go. It’s what you’d recommend to anyone you love, so recommend it to yourself.
Forgive Yourself
Everybody makes mistakes. You’re a human being. It’s human nature. You literally cannot get everything right. If you hold onto the things you do wrong and believe you could have done things differently, instead of being bitter towards yourself, make sure you’re taking a moment to learn whatever lesson you need to learn on what you can do better next time and then do that.
The past is gone. The mistakes you’ve made are gone. Just take these lessons as opportunities to grow and become a better individual. Forgive yourself, and don’t be so harsh. Everyone is in the same position.
Be the Main Character of Your Own Story
When you watch any movie, you’ll notice how the main character is always in a bad place to start off with, but the story is all about them overcoming their obstacles and being a better version of themselves at the end of it. This is why we root for the heroes of the movies.
When you start treating yourself as the main character of your own movie, then you start having a lot more insight and compassion for your own story. You’re on a journey, and yes, there will be hard times and obstacles, but you can overcome them.
About the Author:
Emily Henry is a writer at Boomessays and State Of Writing. She writes about kindness, self-development, and explores new and exciting ways to become the best versions of ourselves. Emily is also an editor at Paperfellows.
The Daily Kindness Digest #1477
Kindness Quote
“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone.”
Sam Levenson
Act of Kindness
Be that person who embraces someone going through a tough time. If you see someone today who could use some cheering up, talk to them and try to bring a smile to their face 🙂
Positive Affirmation
Today I will let go of my fears and doubts and take that first step into the unknown! Change can be scary, but I am stronger than my fears!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1476
Kindness Quote
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.”
Helen Keller
Act of Kindness
We all have someone in our life that loves coffee. Whether it’s a coworker, a family member, or a friend, let them worry about one less thing by buying them their daily cup of coffee!
Positive Affirmation
Today I focus on sharing my joy with the people I love!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1475
Kindness Quote
“Kindness is an electrical spark of life that runs through all kingdoms and has a reciprocal action when shown to others.”
Joe Hayes
Act of Kindness
Allow another driver merge in traffic on your way to wherever you may be heading today. The extra few seconds is well worth the smile and positive feeling your act will leave them with.
Positive Affirmation
Today I SMILE, realizing that there is a lot to be thankful for.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1474
Kindness Quote
“What we all have in common is an appreciation of kindness and compassion; all the religions have this. Love. We all lean towards love.”
Richard Gere
Act of Kindness
We all have somebody who loves us no matter what. Go out and remind someone that you love them and will be there for them!
Positive Affirmation
Today I will be willing to FORGIVE. The past is behind me. I live only in the present.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1473
Kindness Quote
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
George Bernard Shaw
Act of Kindness
Take the time to really listen to someone today. Someone close to you may need to talk and just a few minutes of our time could make a world of difference for them 🙂
Positive Affirmation
Today I am a magnet. I pull in the good and positive and push away the fear and the pain.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1472
Kindness Quote
“You can cultivate mercy when you extend acts of compassion and kindness to yourself and to other people.”
Bree Miller
Act of Kindness
Spend some quality time with your family! Remember, these are the people that love you unconditionally. That’s not what you would call an everyday occurrence!
Positive Affirmation
Today I am wondrous. I marvel in all the good in my life and my part in bringing delight to the world.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1471
Kindness Quote
“Compassion isn’t about solutions. It’s about giving all the love that you’ve got.”
Cheryl Strayed
Act of Kindness
Clean up around the neighborhood you live in. This is a great way to help the people in your community, plus you’ll have a greater appreciation of the scenery!
Positive Affirmation
Today is the day that I move past any grudges I may be holding. It will feel good to breath out the negative energy of holding a grudge and be able to move forward without it on my mind.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1470
Kindness Quote
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Barack Obama
Act of Kindness
Leave an inspirational book on the bus. You never know who might find it and be impacted by it!
Positive Affirmation
I am RADIANT! Joy and happiness shine from me. A positive attitude is all I need to SHINE!
Kindness Media
The Kindness Flash #56
This month’s theme: ACCEPTANCE
Happening this Month
World Kindness Day is right around the corner on November 13th! In honor of World Kindness Day Life Vest Inside would love to invite you to take part in our World Kindness Day festivities! Take part in our virtual event on Monday, November 15th, join our global video collaboration and learn this year’s Dance for Kindness dance! Learn more at www.danceforkindness.com
Articles of the Month
Accepting Other People’s Differences – To feel comfortable with people who are different from us means that we must accept ourselves for who we are. Unfortunately, we often put up guards to protect ourselves instead of being open to those differences. Our mistrust of others is really fear, and then acting from that wariness only fuels suspicion back.
Empathy – Accept Others For Who They Are – Acceptance is the ability to see that others have a right to be their own unique persons. That means having a right to their own feelings, thoughts and opinions. When you accept people for who they are, you let go of your desire to change them.
“Acceptance is simply love in practice. When you love, you accept, when you lack love, you judge.”
Abhijit Naskar
“You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love the person for that.”
Jeannette Walls
“A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror.”
Ken Keyes
Act of Kindness
Take time to get to know other people by really listening to them rather than relying on a quick judgment. Assume the role of an explorer and be fascinated by their unique personal traits, background, culture, schooling, and life experiences. See the differences in others as an expression of their exoticness and beauty.
Question of the Month
How do you show acceptance of individual differences? Share here or in the comments below.
Kindness Media
Photo of the Month
How does this picture represent empowerment? Share your thoughts.
Songs of the Month
This song was a response to the hate and fear generated after the 9/11 attacks. Urging people to love one another, and questioning why so much hate exists in the world, a pertinent reminder that we should extend love to people of all races and religions.
We are all imperfect, and it’s precisely those imperfections that make us who we are, and we have to embrace them because there’s so much beauty in those differences. Life is worth fighting for. You are worth fighting for.
This emotional country ballad from 2014 is a motivational pep talk. It takes the perspective of someone who has been bullied for being different and who made it through.
Videos of the Month
A deaf girl comes across a boy who is paralyzed from the waist-down, but neither of them know about each other’s differences.
Why is it important that children are taught to respect each other’s differences? Mariana Chartier shares with us her experience in searching for respect and the values she has learnt, even if it is only at 9 years of age.
When you look around – your classroom, the playground, or even your family – does everyone look the same? You’re right, they don’t, but if you pay attention you’ll realize we are much more similar than you think.
Books of the Month
The Gifts of Acceptance: Embracing People And Things as They Are – Daniel A. Miller – offers insights, intentions, and strategies for practicing acceptance of parents, a significant other, children, siblings and extended family, coworkers, friends, and foes; of life’s adversities and the limitations of getting older; and, perhaps toughest of all, of yourself.
The Sun Is Also a Star – Nicola Yoon – It deals with racial/ethnic stereotypes, deportation, the struggle between one’s heritage and being a “typical” American teenager, the list goes on.
Someone: A Story of Acceptance – Jay Ostrowski – A playful story that teaches children (and adults) a valuable lesson about acceptance and connection. This book is a fun tool for teachers, parents, and caregivers to help children navigate social relationships. We can all learn from Someone about the importance of being open to Anybody and Everybody.
We’re Not So Different After All – Lissette Lent – This playful story of love and acceptance features the likeness of Lissette Lent’s own daughter, Maggie Hope, diagnosed with Trisomy 8 Mosaicism syndrome. It is told from the perspective of Maggie’s brother, Noah. He discovers that similarities they share really outweigh all of the sometimes scary and confusing differences.
A Family Is a Family Is a Family – Sara O’Leary – When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all.
The Daily Kindness Digest #1469
Kindness Quote
“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.”
Abraham Lincoln
Act of Kindness
Give genuine compliments to those you hardly know (like a waiter or bus driver). You can make someone’s day with just a few words!
Positive Affirmation
Today I will be at PEACE with who I am and all that I see. I can just relax and I don’t have to try to control anything. I can JUST BE 🙂
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1468
Kindness Quote
“A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.”
Joseph Joubert
Act of Kindness
Volunteer at your neighbor’s community center. Offering your time for a great cause is an awesome way to get involved with a local initiative.
Positive Affirmation
I am HAPPY. Happiness is my choice to make and I choose to feel good and enjoy my life!