Friendly and Kind
Friendly – someone or something exhibiting the characteristics of a friend, such as being kind, helpful or affectionate.
Kindness – the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
To be friendly is to be kind – and – Kindness is shared by being friendly.
Qualities of kindness include affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care.
How can we be kind to others?
- Smile.
- Just listen.
- Offer a hug or embrace.
- Send out a kind email or card.
- Give someone a genuine compliment.
- Help someone out in a practical way.
- Hold open the door for the person behind you.
- Encourage a friend or family member.
- Strike up a conversation with a stranger.
- Let someone into your lane while driving.
- Pay for the person behind you in line.
- Give your time to a friend or someone who needs it.
- Pause before you speak, and choose words with positive intention.
- Gift something meaningful to someone: loan a book, bring flowers, drop off cookies, whatever suits your fancy.
- Say Thank You and Please everyday without fail.
- Say “I Love You” a little more often to your family and friends.
Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
Princess Diana
Kindness also includes being kind to yourself.
How can we be kind to ourselves?
- Be compassionate toward yourself. Realize you are worthy and deserving.
- Stop worrying about what other people think.
- Be kind to others.
- Be your own superhero.
- Shut down negative self-talk.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously.
- Take time off.
- Learn to forgive.
- Respect yourself fully.
- Go to bed early.
- Change your thoughts to change your life.
- Stop trying to fit in.
- Think of a way to make your life easier, then do it.
- Stop judging yourself.
- Learn to let things go.
- Take time for yourself.
- Nourish yourself.
- Bring music into your life.
- Try to bring meaning to every day.
- Be your own best friend.
Every one of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.
Princess Diana
Be courageous and strong – be friendly and kind. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Loving kindness is the spirit of friendship toward yourself and others.
Sharon Salzberg