Make Kindness Your Super Power
by Taylor Smith, CHOP5 Wellness & Nutrition Blogger
The Big, Daunting Life Question
At some point in your life, you will be faced with the question, “what do you want to be remembered for and why?” Most people are often faced with this question in high school or college. Others find themselves pondering it during their career or before making a big change in their life. Even if you’re not presently asked to answer this “big, daunting life question”, I urge you to take the time to think about it. Understanding your answer allows you to realize what matters most to you and what you want to prioritize in your life.
My Answer
Personally, I’ve thought about this question quite a lot. I do not want to be remembered for my body or appearance. I do not even need to be remembered for my grades in school or career in sports or work. None of that is my ultimate goal. At the end of day, I’ve realized that my purpose in life is to be kind. It’s to give advice and help as many people as possible.
It’s to relate to others by sharing my stories and make them feel included and not alone. It’s to motivate and inspire others to live their best life and reach their own potential. My “why” in life for everything I do ultimately leads me to the goal of positively touching as many souls as I can.
Why Does Kindness Matter?
As I’ve gotten older and went through various life experiences, I’ve gained empathy and an understanding of the importance of being kind always.
In this competitive and cut-throat world where society puts an emphasis on “getting ahead” and constantly “doing,” kindness is a superpower. It makes me sad that many people do not think twice about their words or actions. It’s upsetting that many people think kindness is a weakness when it’s actually a strength!
It’s critical to be kind because you never have any idea what people are going through, even if they seem fine. One smile, one compliment, one act of kindness has the power to change someone’s whole day. It has the power to change their mood and make them feel less alone. It can instill a sense of belonging, appreciation and confidence in them. A genuine act of kindness has such a positive impact on people. I urge you to always remember that, if nothing else.
Benefits of Kindness:
If these reasons alone do not convince you to be kind, here are benefits of kindness:
- Associated with well-being
- Lowers your stress
- Boosts self-esteem
- Boosts productivity
- Creates better leaders
- Helps kids do better in school
- Sets kids up for a good future
- Good for romantic relationships
- Essential to a happy life
- Contagious
Reminder: You Do NOT Know Everything
So, before you judge someone or assume something about them, remind yourself that you have no idea what’s going on in their head. Even if you may have some context, you cannot fully understand it because you have never walked in their shoes.
You could be standing next to someone who is trying their hardest not to break down and you may have no idea. Maybe that person is on the verge of giving up or ending it all. Or maybe they just had a bad day. Who knows? What I do know is that we should air on the side of being kind.
Make Kindness Your Super Power
I want you to make kindness your Super Power!
A kind heart is NOT something you are born with. You have the power to choose how you want to treat others.
Kindness gives you the ability to light up a room, change someone’s mindset or life, create relationships and more!
Various Ways to Be Kind
Always remember that random acts of kindness go a long way, even if you don’t realize it. There is not one specific way to be kind to others. There are endless things you can do from little things to big things. Nevertheless, here are some ideas:
- Smile at a stranger
- Hold the door for someone – CHOP5 is a great place to start 🙂
- Ask someone how their day was (like the CHOP5 team members!)
- Have a conversation with a person behind you in line
- Genuine compliments
- Invite someone to sit with you at lunch
- Reach out first!
- Check in on your friends with a simple text
- Support others’ dreams
- Be there for your friends and listen with no judgement
- Tell your people how much they mean to you
- Text someone after you hang out to tell them how much fun you had
- Make a kind or romantic gesture (plan a surprise dinner)
- Give/make a sentimental gift
- Have energy and spread positivity (be optimistic)
- Relate to others by sharing your story/experiences
- Include everyone
- Make others feel seen, loved, valued and appreciated
No Strings Attached!
No matter how much life hardens you, you can choose to be soft and gentle with others. We cannot control much, but we can control how we make others feel.
No matter how busy or chaotic life gets, I hope you will always strive to have a positive impact on the lives around you. Whether it’s a stranger or your best friend you cross paths with, I hope you choose to spread kindness and positivity.
All in all, whatever you do, do it with kindness. Not because you can get something in return or for an ulterior motive, but just because you can.
Leave a Positive Legacy
I urge you all to leave people, places and things better than you found them. Be a beautiful soul. The world needs more of those.
Now, that is the legacy we should all strive to leave.
New Year’s Intentions Update:
One of my new year’s intentions that I made an extra effort to achieve was prioritizing the relationships in my life. Some ways I did this was by reaching out first to make plans, sending a text to check in or just “thinking of you,” and making time to hang out. As we get older, life happens, and the time seems to slip between our fingers. But. I’ve realized that one of my greatest priorities in my life is my relationships with my people. I strive to always put in effort and continue my relationships no matter where life takes me. Even though I’ve had a full plate this summer, I’m proud of myself for having a balance and prioritizing my relationships. One cool thing I did this summer with a friend was go to the Rockies game before the Fourth of July and watch the fireworks after. It was an amazing experience and a memorable night. It reminded me of what life is all about.
