Being kindhearted isn’t just about doing grand gestures of good will. Sometimes, it’s the little things you do routinely that truly show your kindheartedness.
In this article, we’ll explore 7 things that if you do regularly, make you more kindhearted than 98% of people out there. It’s not about being a saint, it’s about genuine gestures that make a difference.
Ready to find out if you’re part of the 2%? Let’s dive in.
1) You practice empathy
Kindheartedness isn’t just about being nice to others. It’s about understanding their emotions and experiences. And that’s where empathy comes in.
The truly kindhearted people don’t just sympathize – they empathize. They don’t just feel for others, they feel with others. And it’s this quality that allows them to connect with people on a deeper level.
Practicing empathy isn’t always easy, but it’s a habit that can make a world of difference in how we interact with others.
As psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “When someone really hears you without passing judgement on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good.”
2) You’re quick to forgive
Being kindhearted isn’t just about how you treat others, but also about how you react when others wrong you. And I’ve learned this first hand.
A few years ago, a close friend of mine made a mistake that hurt me deeply. I was upset and confused, and my initial reaction was to cut ties. But then I remembered the power of forgiveness.
Instead of holding onto my anger, I chose to forgive my friend. It wasn’t easy, but the decision to forgive allowed us to repair our relationship and move forward.
Being quick to forgive doesn’t mean you’re allowing others to take advantage of you. It means you’re choosing understanding over resentment, love over hatred. It’s a marker of true kindness, one that sets you apart from the crowd.
As American author Mark Twain once said, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” This quote has always resonated with me and serves as a reminder that forgiving others is a testament of your own strength and kindheartedness.
3) You’re an active listener
Active listening is a crucial habit of kindhearted people. It’s more than just hearing what someone says; it’s about fully engaging with them, showing genuine interest in their words, and providing thoughtful responses.
It’s not just about being polite; active listening helps build stronger relationships. It shows that you truly care about the other person’s thoughts and feelings. It makes them feel valued and understood.
According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, active listening can even help alleviate negative emotions and increase a person’s willingness to forgive after a transgression.
So the next time someone shares something with you, try to practice active listening. Show them that you’re truly there for them, fully present and engaged. It might just make their day.
4) You’re comfortable with saying no
Now, this might seem counter-intuitive. After all, aren’t kindhearted people always supposed to say yes?
Well, not necessarily. Being kindhearted doesn’t mean you should be a pushover. It’s important to set boundaries and take care of your own needs as well.
In fact, being comfortable with saying no can actually make you more kindhearted. It means you’re not just mindlessly agreeing to things out of guilt or obligation but truly investing your time and energy into things that matter to you – and to others.
Saying no allows you to say yes when it counts. It ensures that when you do agree to help someone or commit to something, you’re able to give it your full attention and effort.
5) You’re generous with your time
Time is one of the most precious gifts we can give. It’s something we can never get back once it’s gone. And yet, kindhearted people are willing to give it away, knowing how much it can mean to someone.
Being generous with your time doesn’t necessarily mean you have to make grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s as simple as listening to a friend who needs to talk, or helping a neighbor with a task.
True generosity is about more than just giving material things. It’s about giving your time, your attention, and your care.
As psychologist Daniel Goleman said, “True compassion means not only feeling another’s pain but also being moved to help relieve it.” This is the essence of being generous with your time – feeling moved to use your time to relieve another’s pain or bring them joy.
6) You express gratitude often
In a world often caught up in negativity and complaints, expressing gratitude can be a powerful act of kindness. It’s a simple gesture that can have a profound impact, not just on others, but also on your own mindset.
A few years back, during a particularly challenging period, I started keeping a gratitude journal. Every night before going to bed, I’d write down three things I was grateful for that day. It didn’t matter how big or small they were, as long as they brought joy or value to my life.
This simple practice had a transformative effect. Not only did it make me more appreciative of the good things in life, but it also encouraged me to spread positivity and kindness to others.
Expressing gratitude regularly can make you more kindhearted by making you more aware of the goodness in your life and the world around you. It cultivates an attitude of positivity and appreciation which you then radiate out to those around you.
7) You’re patient with others
Patience is a virtue that’s closely associated with kindheartedness. It’s about giving others the space to move at their own pace, to grow, and to learn.
We all have our own journeys, our own challenges, and our own learning curves. And patience is about respecting these individual paths.
Being patient doesn’t mean you’re passive or indifferent. It means you understand that everyone has their own pace and that rushing them won’t lead to positive outcomes.
This is the essence of patience – looking beyond the present moment and understanding that everyone’s journey is unique and deserves respect.
Final thoughts: It all comes down to choice
At the end of the day, being kindhearted isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a choice. It’s a series of decisions that you make every day, in every interaction.
These 7 habits aren’t just actions, they’re choices. They’re conscious decisions to be empathetic, forgiving, mindful, active in listening, comfortable with saying no, generous with time, expressive in gratitude, and patient.
The beauty of it all is that these habits can be cultivated. They’re not innate traits that you either have or don’t have. They’re practices that you can incorporate into your daily life.
So as you reflect on these habits and how they fit into your life, remember that it’s all a matter of choice. You have the power to choose kindness, to choose compassion, and to choose love.
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