Default to kindness

Hopefully you have heard about the importance of kindness from us many times already, but it's worth mentioning again.

In our family, we believe it's important to be kind whenever you can.

The easiest way to be kind is to show courtesy towards everyone you meet (and within the family too!). Be calm, polite, and cheerfully lend a hand if someone needs help.

You might not feel like it all the time, but I promise that once you get used to helping others, it feels really good. It's food for the soul to be someone who helps others.

Another way of being kind is to be thoughtful. Is there something you can do to make someone's life easier?

It may be doing a small task for them without being asked, or reminding them of something important if you think they've forgotten. Even just offering to listen is showing kindness.

These are the simple examples. It's always easy to be kind to someone you know or if they are being nice to you, but it doesn't always happen that way.

How do you be kind if someone is being mean or aggressive?

Well, the best thing is to just get out of the way if you can. That person clearly isn't interested in being kind at that moment, so leave them be.

However, if someone is rude, or grumpy, or not themselves, just realise they are probably having a bad day. I'm not saying you have to put up with any nastiness, but no need to let them ruin your day just because things aren't right for them.

Being kind in that situation is giving them the benefit of the doubt. And if you know them, ask if everything is ok - maybe you can help, or at least listen, if they are willing to talk.

Default to kindness whenever you can - it will be more often than you think.