Starting each day with a sense of gratitude, taking time to meditate, or actively being by yourself in prayer are all valuable ways to be more spiritual every day. Connecting with nature, journaling daily, and simplifying your life have multiple spiritual benefits as well.
Each of these practices is worthwhile, mainly when you invest the time in learning how to improve your spiritual life, and they have the potential to assist you on your spiritual journey.
Being more spiritual every day with kindness
Kindness, as a spiritual practice, has a positive impact on others and yourself. While you might not immediately think of kindness as a spiritual practice, it very much is.
At www.spiritualityandpractice.com, you’ll find that kindness is a core teaching throughout all faiths, religions, and other traditions. Founders Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat tell us that kindness is the first of the three great treasures advocated by Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher in 6th Century BCE and regarded as the Father of Taoism. The Buddha taught that generosity is a primary quality of an awakened mind. Muhammad regarded kindness as an essential sign of faith. Jewish and Christian ethics are built upon deeds of kindness, as are the daily interactions of people of primal traditions.”
Lending a helping hand, taking care of a loved one, offering a gift, or any act of service, with no expectation of receiving anything in return, are a few of the most familiar ways to practice kindness spiritually. Being generous with your time and talent because you feel the need can make this world a better place. Treating our Earth and all life on it with deep respect and appreciation are acts of kindness to practice for the betterment of all.
While we may think of kindness as seeming “lightweight,” it is a source of strength for all of us. As human beings, we are hardwired to be kind. We were born that way. Young children, as part of their inner essential nature and, as early as two years, know how to comfort their small friend when he or she seems upset, simply by offering a hug.
Some people may have had this behavior modeled for them and were taught how to be kind, caring, and compassionate. And this becomes a part of their nature. Learning this behavior is not difficult for those who haven’t been taught, though it takes practice.
Making an effort to be kinder, according to medical experts and others, makes us happier as well. Kindness and happiness are directly connected. The more we exhibit kindness towards others, the happier we feel. In doing so, as a result, we become spiritually uplifted. Religions, philosophies, and others have held this as a truth. This way of thinking has existed throughout the ages.
- So, if you want to be a kinder person, live more spiritually, and feel happier, try one of these 6 easy ways of being kind.
- Compliment someone you care about.
- Send a personal note to someone that you think about but who you haven’t spoken to in years.
- Reach out to someone, in person or online, and tell them how they make you feel.
- Sincerely thank someone who has given you excellent service at any place where you shop.
- Call someone, not text, and tell them how much you think about them.
- Take time to listen to someone who has a greater burden than your own. Let them speak without interruption. Make them feel like they are being heard. Do not offer advice, but listen.
Make it a habit to let your child or grandchild know what it means to be kind. Give them a few examples, maybe at bedtime, and then ask them to come up with a few of their own. Reading a book at bedtime on kindness is a meaningful way to incorporate this compassionate practice into their daily lives. The list of books available on the topic of kindness, compassion, and empathy for children keeps growing. Here are a few that you might like to consider in teaching your children how to become kind young people.
- Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light, by Apryl Scott- PreK-3, a debut author with a message to share, especially during a challenging year; a lovely book and beautifully illustrated, to teach young ones about helping others, trusting their heart, and being kind.
- If you Plant a Seed, by Kadir Nelson- ages 4-8, “Nelson presents a gently, resonant, and humorous story about the power of even the smallest acts and the rewards of compassion and generosity.”
- How to Heal a Broken Wing, by Bob Graham- PreK- up, this book’s message is taught with very few words and beautiful illustrations. With kindness, empathy, and compassion for all living creatures, we all can make a difference.
Whether kindness is an innate gift or is a learned behavior, hopefully, as we mature, we instinctively know how to support and assist others in need. We reach out without invitation as good listeners. We volunteer to help others in need. We encourage and inspire. Our love for one another and our kindness raise the vibration of everyone with whom we connect.
Making kindness a daily and committed practice will help you live more spiritually and hugely benefit our society’s positive evolution. When we integrate kindness activities into our daily lives, we are encouraged to think of others. We enhance our generosity of spirit while balancing selfish tendencies within ourselves.
Our kindness is demonstrated in many ways. It is known simple ways, like holding the door for someone, assisting a friend when their car breaks down, grocery shopping for an elderly neighbor. The list is endless, and there are hundreds of ways to be kind as a way of being more spiritual every day.
At the non-profit site https://kindness.org/, there is a kindness movement taking place. And they feel that “kindness is the catalyst in solving the world’s biggest challenges.” Their mission is clear and straightforward: “To educate and inspire people to choose kindness.” From their website, they recommend many examples, here are just a few:
- Thank a service worker
- Donate to a charity
- Give blood
- Write a gratitude list
- Share a good book
- Write a letter to someone who made a difference in your life
- Answer that email that you have been putting off
And especially online:
- Share a positive news story
- Kindly respond to a negative comment online
- Arrange an online date with a friend
We have learned so much from the year 2020. It has been a great teacher in ways we might not have ever imagined. For many, we have learned how to navigate this great unknown and better deal with fear, conflict, and uncertainty, trust ourselves, and more. We’ve learned how to adapt, be creative, and find ways to connect still.
We have also learned how to be more compassionate and kind. This period of intense uncertainty has taught us how to reach out and help others. Science has shown that when we extend ourselves to others, we have an uplifting experience ourselves.
Self-compassion and self-care are ways to improve your spiritual life
Our kindness starts from within. When we don’t know how to be kind to ourselves, it’s sometimes challenging to understand how to be kind to others. Especially during this past year, we have all been surrounded by chaos and constant challenges. Quite possibly, you have put yourself last while responsibly taking care of loved ones.
As each of us on a spiritual journey, our self-care practices will differ depending on the season and where we are at different ages and stages in life. Like your spiritual side, how you choose to create your self-care plan, rituals, or routines, will be as individual as you.
We all know that restful, restorative sleep, healthy food, and some form of exercise are essential for taking the best care of ourselves. Experts tell us that limiting screen time with technology and similar distractions benefits our mind-body health.
The aim of correct practices to help feel calmer and less stressed is needed most and regularly.
At www.mindbodygreen.com, author and editorial assistant Sara Regan presents in her article,
7 Simple Ways to Find Micro-Moments of Self-Care When You’re Low on Time.
Each one is simple, affordable, and useful whenever you need some particular time for yourself. From this helpful article, sipping tea, sound bathing, and applying acupressure are three options for better health and wellness.
At the beginning or end of each week, we also offer that you make a list in your journal of the activities that bring you the most joy to calm and help you feel more relaxed. Depending on your schedule and desire, decide on one unique activity that you will make you feel better- that you imagine will provide you with a better sense of well-being.
Here are a few of our suggestions to consider in being kinder to yourself with a self-care practice:
- Reading for pleasure a few minutes each day.
- Listening to an audiobook or podcast
- Listening to relaxing music.
- Spending a certain amount of time each day for play- art, writing, puzzles, jigsaw, or any kind, knitting, crafts, or hobbies.
- Wearing a soothing facial sheet mask while listening to a guided meditation.
Spend some time in reflection and journal writing to get in touch with what you need most for inner peace and calm—always remembering that these choices for your self-care are explicitly designed by you, for you.
As we think about how we want to welcome in 2021 with a spiritual consciousness, our focus is on the hope and vision we hold, not only for each of us but also for the rest of humanity.
When we consider others through acts of service and acts of kindness and compassion, we are giving back. If we were mindfully kinder in small personal ways, not only would we live more spiritually, but the goodness of our actions would have a desirable ripple effect. Over time, the impact of our efforts will encourage others to do the same.
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