Today’s virtue is kindness–only one more to go! Dictionary.com tells me that kindness is “the quality of being warmhearted, considerate, humane, and sympathetic; the tendency to be kind and forgiving.” This one is pretty straightforward, so there’s not much room for exposition or explanation. Instead, I thought I’d list some ideas for incorporating kindness into our lives.

• Forgive someone. One of my favorite quotes of all time is about forgiveness: “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that crushes it.” Mark Twain. Isn’t that beautiful? Is there someone in your life that has wronged you or “crushed” you? Can you find it in your heart to forgive him or her? Forgiveness is wonderful because it benefits pretty much everyone–you, your transgressor, the people with whom you share your life. It’s a wonderful gift and an amazing example to others.
• Adopt an older person in your neighborhood. Weed her garden. Mow her lawn. Take her to get her groceries.
• Pay the toll of the person in the car behind you.
• Send anonymous flowers to someone who you know is having a hard day.
• Give someone you don’t like a genuine compliment.
• Bring cookies or coffee or flowers into work for everyone to share.
• Offer a few hours of free babysitting to a mom who’s having a rough week.
• Hand out balloons to children in your neighborhood or your child’s class at school.
• Give your partner a massage without expecting or accepting one in return.
• Cook a meal for your family with the intent of pouring all your love into the food.
• Give blood.
• Write a thank you note to someone who positively influenced you as a child.
• Tell your children and/or parents why you love them.
• Hold the elevator when you see someone rushing to catch it.
• Let someone in when you’re in heavy traffic. Give him a smile and a friendly wave.
• Tell your boss/employees what you appreciate about them.
• Call or email a friend with whom you’ve fallen out of touch.
• Apologize to someone you’ve wronged.
• Leave an extra big tip for your waiter.
• Befriend the new person at work, church, or school.
• Spend some time playing with a child.
• Ask someone about his or her day and really LISTEN.
• Pick up trash when you see it on the ground.
• Donate books to a school.
• Don’t raise your voice with your family. It’s fine to be angry, but you can express your frustration without yelling or name-calling.
• Do something nice FOR YOURSELF!

What are some other ways to incorporate kindness into your life?

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