Publisher - March 2025

Photography by
Cassidy Dunn Photography

“Kindness gives birth to kindness.”
— Sophocles —

There are few things on this earth as impactful as kindness. The ripple effect one kind encounter can have is immeasurable. Kindness is a powerful gift you can give away every day, all day, and never be replete. It’s the gift that keeps on giving to both the recipient and the giver.

Although there is no wrong way to be kind, I would say the first rule of kindness is to be kind to yourself. It is difficult to be kind to others when we can’t be kind to ourselves. While we believe other’s cruelty may hurt us the most, it is the constant unkind self-talk that tears us down one thought at a time. Psychologist and bestselling author Brené Brown says, “When we are kind to ourselves, we create a reservoir of compassion that we can extend to others.”

I was driving through the parking lot at the grocery store and saw someone I knew. I rolled down the window to say hello. I wasn’t going to sit there and have a conversation; someone was behind me. However, the lady behind me beeped her horn within five seconds. In my mind, she was rude. Her immediate impatience demonstrated to me that she would rather impose her busied self-importance than nurture a neighborly community where people speak to each other. To me, she was unkind.

There are things that hurt and hinder kindness. Being hurried, stressed or over-booked are just a few. Of course, kindness is also repelled by self-importance, arrogance and selfishness. Anger is probably kindness’s biggest foe, completely squashing any chance of good feelings.

It’s easy to be kind. The Dalai Lama says, “Be kind whenever possible. It is ALWAYS possible.” Being kind is a choice, and there are many ways to exhibit kindness. Here are a few to remember:

Kindness is something we learn when we are still in diapers. A baby can recognize kindness and gains security and self-confidence in being treated kindly. Have you ever seen two toddlers decide to share? It is precious. You can physically see their little body language open, which usually spreads to big baby smiles and infectious baby giggles. Not only does the human body thrive on kindness, so does the entire human race.

A smile is the world-wide symbol for kindness. It is the simplest form of communication with the largest power to connect. Often it is involuntary, and humans are the only animals that can smile. (Aren’t we lucky!) Smiling is a gift that almost every time you give it away, you get it right back. Did you know if you’re in a bad mood, you can smile, and it will begin to make you feel lighter and brighter? Make it a point to smile at others. It will add happiness to your spirit, your face and heart will soften,
and you will look radiant.

Kindness is revealed in what you say, but did you know it is also revealed in what you don’t say? I have a friend who tells me I’m good at tempering my words in situations that could turn ugly. I haven’t always had this talent. In fact, just the opposite. After my divorce, I began to really hone in on what I felt was necessary to say, and more importantly, what should be left unsaid. I like this way better. For example: I asked my daughter to go back to our hotel room to look in my purse for a Stevia packet. I told her it was in the side pocket. (We were having coffee and the hotel didn’t offer Stevia) She returned without the Stevia, claiming it wasn’t in there. I knew it was, and I could have made a big deal out of it making her feel bad and inadequate. Instead, I thanked her for looking. Unsaid words can be just as kind as nice words that are spoken.

Hugs are scientifically proven to be beneficial to our health. In fact, some say we need eight hugs a day to thrive. If you’re not a hugger, consider working your way towards embracing others. Hugging can reduce loneliness, depression, cortisol levels and blood pressure. Hugs that are held a few extra seconds have even more health benefits! I wasn’t raised as a touchy-feely person, but I have become a good hugger. Hugs are like handshakes, you don’t want them to be namby-pamby, which conveys you really don’t want to be hugging. A few other hugging suggestions: Try not to pat people on the back while hugging. It comes across like a ref counting down how long until the hug is over. If you’re going to hug, do it like you mean it. That’s how to give and receive all the positive feels—both physiologically and emotionally.

Philosopher Aldous Huxley said, “It’s a little embarrassing that after 45 years of research and study, the best advice I can give people is to be a little kinder to each other.”

I want to encourage you to become mindful of being kind on purpose. In doing so, you will become kinder to yourself and begin to blossom. Remember to choose kindness over being right. If you do, you will be right every time.

Think Pink,
Elizabeth Millen