Kindness Through Inclusion

Day 3: Kindness Through Inclusion

As I reflect on the tragedy in Paris and pray for those affected, I find myself in awe of the solidarity, empathy, and kindness of the human race that I witness on social media. However, it also reminds of how we each have the opportunity everyday to connect in the real world, not only through tragedy, but also through acceptance, inclusion and ultimately kindness. We are all part of the same human race, and we all have the potential to either create kindness, love, empathy, understanding, acceptance, inclusion or the potential to create animosity, hate, indifference, ignorance, intolerance, and exclusion. Most of us will not become murderers and terrorist, however, we can take this tragedy, reflect on it, and try to create some kind of goodness from it. We can look at our own behaviors and shortcomings and instead of excluding, we can choose to include and help create a world that promotes and cultivates a sense of belonging. I believe that we all have the power and influence to create a home, a neighborhood, a community, a state, a country and a world that will promote a sense of belonging, solidarity and empathy.

1. Kindness to Self:

   How do we include ourselves?  We can do this by living a life that is true and authentic to our inner spirit, by feeding our soul, listening to our intuition, and always honoring oneself before others.

2. Kindness to Others:

   Opportunities to include others happen everyday and all day long. You can choose to slow down, invite your child to sit with you or cook with you, invite the new colleague out to lunch or make a special plan with your spouse to do something new or different. It can be as simple as a warm smile, a glance, a hug, making eye contact and the words you choose to use.

3. Kindness to Strangers:

   If we can learn to look at each person, especially those that are different, strange and unfamiliar to us, as equal, and accept that we all belong to the same human race, that we all share a similar desire to live a full life, that we all started out the same and that we will all return to the earth at some point, we can choose to create a world that is open, understanding, full of kindness and inclusion. Try to look at every stranger as your equal and look for similarities rather than differences.

4. Kindness to our Planet:

   How can we create inclusion of our planet? Simply by doing more to promote and advocate for a planet that is healthy and to live a lifestyle which is sustainable. Think of some new way to include the well-being of our planet in your everyday life choices.

We have the power to include others through our practice of kindness. We can choose to be kind, inclusive, and inviting. Sometimes it is challenging and takes time, but a warm smile and open body language can go a long way to making someone feel welcomed and included. Isn’t that what we all want anyway, to feel connected and included? Today, on the 3rd day of 365 Days of Kindness, go out of your way to include everyone.

Jennifer Palazzo

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com/TeakSato