start the chain of kindness.
Kindness denotes gentleness, tenderness, benevolence, and consideration.
Are you considerate of your needs, feelings, and viewpoint?
Do you remember to treat yourself gently, lovingly?
Do you remember to take care of your body, mind, and spirit?
Do you remember that it's OK and even necessary at times to put yourself first?
To start a chain of kindness, you must feel full enough of energy, peace, and love to share some kindness with someone else.
You can share with others who are feeling good, but it's so much more generous to share with someone who is feeling cranky, irritable, or grouchy.
When someone is not in a good mood, that person really needs kindness, even if he or she isn't able to return kindness to you.
When you feel full of love and peace, it's easier to react kindly to someone who doesn't feel this way and who may be giving you a hard time.
For you to start a chain of kindness, you must remember to take care of yourself.
When did you last give yourself a [enter your first name here] Day - a day devoted to replenishing your cup of energy and well-being?
One of my best friends and "life" teacher, Georgia Whitman, was a very kind and generous person. Georgia would take a "Georgia Day" every so often. It was a day when she did only exactly what she wanted, and not one bit more. Her family had to adjust. They knew the rulers, and they obeyed them because it meant that Georgia was there for them the rest of the time.
Georgia would use her Georgia Day to take care of herself. Georgia might spend the day in bed, reading, taking a walk, soaking in the bath, meditating, or basically, doing whatever felt "right" for her that day.
She might even go into silence on a Georgia Day, which meant that everyone knew not to speak with her because she wouldn't answer. This was not rudeness. Everyone knew the "rules" of a Georgia Day.
If you don't value the importance of taking care of yourself, consider that "You can't pour from an empty cup." If you're not filled to overflowing, what do you have to give freely to others?
Due to all the stress we seem to be under these days, having a special day for yourself, even if it's just once a month (although more frequently would be better) is essential to your good health, good mood, and ability to share kindness with others.
If you have small children, you may not be able to take an entire day, although that would be fabulous if you could. Still, half a day or several hours or even an hour of peace is very worthwhile, even if you use it to catch up on missing sleep time. A mother I knew said she could only have a break by take long baths with the bathroom door locked. I hope you don't have to resort to a locked door to get a break from taking care of everyone else.
So if you find yourself short-tempered and cranky, grumpy and snarly, it's time to be KIND to yourself. A little kindness will go a long way.
If you're not a single parent, this might be easier to arrange. If you are a single parent, then you might need help from a friend or family member to achieve this.
Then, if someone you're working with or speaking with by phone or Zoom or Skype (or some other modality) seems to be "out of sorts," sending a little kindness their way will help both of you to feel better.
An act of kindness is never wasted.
Nedda Wittels, M.A., M.S., is a Starseed and Light Worker whose purpose is to help others who are spiritually awakening. She is a Certified Emotion Codeâ„¢ Practitioner, Certified Master of Multidimensional Healing, Animal Communicator, and Coa
