I think many of us can agree that life has been very stressful lately. We’re reaching the middle of the semester, daily responsibilities are only getting more daunting and I can feel the future quickly approaching. So last week, when I was having a rough day, the only solution that would cheer me up was a delicious meal from Chick-fil-A. To my surprise, a chicken sandwich wasn’t the only thing that turned my night around.
While I was in the drive-thru line, the girl taking my order said to me, “Wow, you’re really pretty.” This comment might not seem like a big deal but, I couldn’t stop smiling as I pulled away because after having such a stressful week, her simple words allowed me to feel appreciated by someone I didn’t even know. This stranger reminded me that our world needs more people to tell others that they are special through random acts of kindness. Her simple gesture inspired me to spread my own seeds of kindness to those around me, and I have felt a positive difference in my life since.
It’s so easy to choose negativity when life is stressing you out or when things don’t go your way, but I’ve found that spreading kindness works in turning your mood around. Being kind to others not only benefits them but also improves your life in the process. When you are constantly spreading more joy, compassion and love into the world, you feel a sense of fulfillment, like you’re making a positive impact that genuinely makes you feel better. It’s comforting to think you might have cheered someone up by being kind to them.
The best part about random acts of kindness is that you don’t have to plan some elaborate scheme to make someone’s day. Simply smiling at a stranger on the sidewalk or complementing their outfit is such an easy way to brighten up anyone’s day. Gestures, like opening the door for someone or holding the elevator rather than quickly letting it shut, will be greatly appreciated by those around you. I know most of us are broke college students but paying for the person’s coffee behind you is another small action that could brighten up the rest of their morning! The ways of being kind are endless. No matter how big or small the gesture is, you are making a positive impact in this world by simply being thoughtful.
Being kind also applies to ourselves. To spread joy to others, we must check in on ourselves and work on our own self-kindness. Like the many ways you can be kind to others, there are different ways to be kind to yourself. Take a few hours and recharge by doing something you love or try saying positive affirmations to yourself whenever you feel self-doubt. Being kind to others starts with being kind to ourselves.
Similar to my situation with the Chick-fil-A worker, your acts of kindness could create a chain reaction and inspire others to keep the acts of kindness going. It’s important to remind ourselves that we never know what someone is going through, so we should strive to be friendly to everyone. There’s way too much hate in this world already; let’s spread kindness around instead!
So, the next time life gets you down and negativity seems like the most accessible road to travel down, I encourage you to try a random act of kindness instead. It will most likely improve your day in the process of brightening up someone else’s. Finding a balance between prioritizing our own needs while keeping others in mind as we go through life is an important concept we should all work on together. I genuinely believe that you will never regret any choice that involves being kind!
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