Slowing Down for Kindness

Day 140: Slowing Down for Kindness

“Slow down everyone. You’re moving too fast. – Jack Johnson

I don’t know about you, but some days I feel like I rush from one thing to the next. The day begins before the sun rises and then it feels like a marathon or a never-ending sprint. I wonder if all the things I pack into one day are really all that necessary. On those sprinting days, which are often, I feel my shoulders tighten, by breath become shallow and my patience running thin. By the end of the day I’m exhausted and not sure when and where the kindness was felt or given. On these days, I must remember to first be compassionate with myself by praising myself for my best effort. Next, I try to do something that feels good, whether that is a swim, a hug from one of my children or a long bath. Lastly, I remind myself that life is a journey, not a race, and if I just slow down, I might be able to feel the kindness.

Learning to slow down for ourselves and for the people in our lives may be the most important and loving gift we can give.

Jennifer Palazzo

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Kostas Tsirogk

Tears of Kindness

Day 139: Tears of Kindness

“…you know that a good, long session of weeping can often make you feel better, even if your circumstances have not changed one bit.” – Lemony Snicket

It is amazing how clear, refreshed, and cleansed I feel after a really good cry. It still surprises me, when I actually allow my feelings to come out rather than resist them, how much lighter I feel. I awaken the next morning and feel joy in every part of my life.

I have spent a majority of my life resisting, avoiding, or denying my true feelings. I learned this unhealthy habit as a child. There just wasn’t much room for my feelings at home, school, on the playground or in church. It wasn’t something my generation did. In fact, outside of catholic school retreats, there were very few places where someone took the time to ask me how I felt. Most of the time I was told that there was no time for my hurt feelings or my happy feelings or whatever feelings I might have been having.

This also serves as a reminder to ask my children how they feel more often, and to actually give them the attention, space, and time to have their feelings felt, heard, and understood. Just imagine a world that is full of people that feel heard and understood. That is the type of world that I would like to create and live in.

Remember to show kindness and compassion to yourself, others, strangers, and our beautiful planet, by allowing full expression of feelings. Whether that be in the form of tears, laughter, joy, sorrow, anger or any of the other feelings you may be having.

With Kindness,

Jennifer Palazzo

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Tatjana Ch

Harmonious Kindness

Day 138: Harmonious Kindness

“The mind is everything. What you think you become.” – Buddha

The amazing Louise Hay, author of several books, including You Can Heal Your Life, speaks at length about the power of affirmations. One of her regular affirmations is that all of her relationships are harmonious. She especially applies this affirmation to people she works with, landlords and any person others have deemed difficult. She has even used a version of this affirmation with people in her life that she had past turmoil with. In each relationship that she affirmed to be harmonious, she soon found to be harmonious. I have been putting a version of her affirmation to test and I have to say, it works. I have written, said aloud and even meditated that certain relationships are harmonious and healthy and sure enough they have proved to be or are shifting that direction. I now have added that all of my relationships, and any new people I meet, are harmonious and healthy. It is amazing what a positive attitude and a regular kind affirmation can create. What we think, we certainly become.

With Kindness,

Jennifer Palazzo

 

Kindly Finding the Beauty

Day 137: Kindly Finding the Beauty

“A beautiful life begins with a beautiful mind.” – Unknown

“Life is beautiful if you flow with its natural beauty. Resistance makes it ugly.” – Terri Guillemets

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” – Confucius

 There are times in life that we find ourselves in the midst of perceived ugliness or, in other words, in a situation that we would rather not be. These difficult, upsetting and challenging situations are the very things that make us stronger, force us to grow, and expand our hearts. Our inclination in any unpleasant situation is to resist and protect ourselves. It is only later, looking back that we can see the gifts that were there waiting to be found and revealed. The diamond in the rough, the buried treasure and the hidden gems are all sayings that come to mind. If we are patient and have faith, allow ourselves to flow with life, and use a positive outlook to look for the treasures, the beauty of life will be revealed.

With Kindness,

Jennifer

 Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind David Sherring

Loving Kindness

Day 136: Loving Kindness

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde

Happy Easter! Whether you celebrate the day or not, it coincides with Spring and other religious holidays which all have a common thread, and that is new beginnings. How does the subject of new beginnings relate to loving oneself? Think of Spring for a moment and what is actually taking place. Spring is a time of expansion, growth, beauty, novelty, and bravery. If you picture a flower or any plant during spring, it is opening to the sun and warmth and at the same time beneath the surface it is growing stronger roots. Opening up and growing takes a great amount of trust and bravery and that is where I find the connection between new beginnings and loving oneself. In order to make any changes in oneself, and to start a new journey, takes a great amount of self-love and self-trust. We alone are the only one inside of ourselves, so we might as well learn to be totally, madly in love with who and what are. Be brave, be bold, but most of all be self-loving.

With Kindness,

Jennifer

 Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Hervé de Brabandère

Kindly Try Something New

Day 135: Kindly Try Something New:

“If you want something you’ve never had, then you’ve got to do something you never done.”

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Don’t be afraid of change, because it is leading you to a new beginning.” – Joyce Meyers

When you try something for the first time such as a new sport, cooking a new recipe, starting a new job or taking up a new hobby, do you encourage yourself to try and keep at it, or do you expect to already be an expert and belittle yourself if you fall short of your imagined high standards and expectations? If you fall in to the latter group it might be time to learn how to kindly treat yourself when you try something new. Learn to laugh at yourself and find humor in your mistakes. Remember life can be fun and doesn’t have to be so serious. It is also important to encourage yourself just as you would a young child. When we experiment and dare to try something new, it is not only brave, but the exact thing that makes life fun and interesting.

Remember to encourage yourself, and nurture your new beginnings through kind self talk and lots of humor.

With Kindness,

Jennifer

 Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Luiz Baltar

Kindness in a Cuddle

Day 134: Kindness in a Cuddle

“Cuddling literally kills depression, relieves anxiety and strengthens the immune system.” – Unknown

I have no idea if that quote is based on scientific studies and data or just made up, but I do not really care, it completely makes sense to me. Who doesn’t feel better, more loved, recharged and content after a good cuddling session? We all need the same things in life and we certainly need to feel good and loved in order to be kind and spread that kind feeling to others.

Lucky for me that my children still like to watch a movie and cuddle or read a book and cuddle, because after a very long week of work and life, that is exactly what I needed. Whether we cuddle with our children, spouse, friend, parent or beloved animal, harness that love and turn it inward so that you can feel love and turn that into kindness for yourself and all others.

With Kindness,

Jennifer

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Joe Batluck

Kind Rewards

Day 133: Kind Rewards

“Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” – George Orwell

Are you one of those people that can kindly accept and receive the gifts and rewards that you have worked so hard to achieve? Or are you one of those people that down play your achievements or refuse to acknowledge yourself?

I think, I may fall into the latter group. I wish I could say: hell yes! I did that! I’m awesome and bad ass! Or at least think it. Why not celebrate my hard work and the gifts that come with it? Is it because there is still part of me that believes it can be taken away? That I don’t really deserve it? That something bad is around the corner? And where did I develop these beliefs? 

If my thoughts create my beliefs, then I should be very cognizant of my thoughts so that my beliefs reflect what I want and desire. And if I get to pick, then I choose enjoyment. I choose to celebrate and congratulate myself. Nothing bad is lurking around the corner and of course I deserve the rewards of hard work and dedication. I suppose it does not matter where the beliefs came from, what is more important is that I am aware and willing to change my old belief patterns.

Begin to be aware of what you think, and remember that what you think creates your beliefs, which then create your current life. 

We are all worthy of the best in life! Think, Believe, Create!

With Kindness,

Jennifer

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Shirley B.

Toolbox of Kindness

Day 132: Toolbox of Kindness

“Self -compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” – Christopher Germer

When life brings you a challenge that feels daunting, insurmountable, and down right scary, what do you do? In lieu of hiding and saying to your higher power how unfair it all is, what tools do you have that help you?

Over the years I have acquired, crafted, and nurtured a collection of tools that have helped and served me well through the toughest challenges. I have used therapy, meditation and yoga, family and friends, support groups, a plethora of self-help books, and most recently added positive affirmations to the toolbox. Each new tool requires discipline, dedication and maybe a bit of humility. Admitting that we need help and asking for it also requires self-acceptance and forgiveness. Our lives are not perfect and never will be. We will have moments that are the happiest and moments that are nothing short of tragic, that is life. Having a toolbox of kindness for ourselves is not only going to get us through the toughest of times, but it will also enhance our lives during the calm waters of life. 

No matter what, there is always plenty of help and assistance available, look and ask, and you will find what you need.

With Love and Kindness,

Jennifer

Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com and The Very Kind Grant Yiu

Kind Quotes

Day 131: Kind Quotes

“Every act of kindness grows the spirt and strengthens the soul.” – Unknown

“Do all things with kindness. – Unknown

“Everyone understands kindness.” – Unknown

“The kindest form of wisdom is kindness.” – Unknown

The source of the quotes may be unknown, but what is known and understood by all is kindness. Be kind to yourself, be kind to those that you love, be kind to strangers and be kind to our planet. Everyday practice kind acts and one day, kindness will become your life.

With Love and Kindness,

Jennifer