A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.
– Amelia Earhart
I decided to look into yoga as an add-on to my workout schedule in 2020, as I needed something to offset the pounding on my body from years of long distance running. A gentler form exercise and more stretching was exactly what I was looking for, and just in time for the start of a new year too.
Yoga’s something I’m a big proponent of, and it comes up a lot in my therapy sessions as a great form of self-care. It’s a way to relax, get more grounded in life, find your center, be present, be in the moment and so forth.
My last therapist suggested yoga. My last physical therapist suggested yoga. But, as with most things, I had to get to a point where my body was stiff, tight and sore to know that I truly needed more than what I was currently doing to live a healthy lifestyle.
So, I turned to the Internet, found the local yoga studio choices that looked good, and started with my top choice and went to visit in person. I was truly shocked to find that it wasn’t at all what I was looking for, so I went to studio #2. Here I found my yoga studio!
What was the difference between the two?
The warmth and sense of community I felt right when I entered one studio and the lack there of with the other. But, when I took a step back, I realized it was kindness I was feeling and experiencing first hand with the studio I liked. These small acts of kindness from the staff and other yoga participants made all the difference. They helped me step across the threshold of fear regarding trying something new, and brought me into being part of something fun and inspiring. At the heart of it all was simply kindness.
Here are a few simple ways to show kindness towards others in your life:
- Saying thank you
- Giving someone a hug
- Writing positive reviews
- Taking time to play with your kids
- Cleaning up our environment (one piece of trash at a time)
- Removing a nail in the street so a neighbor won’t have to deal with a flat tire
- Giving an anonymous donation
- Actively listening to what others have to say
What would you add to this list?
