Today’s #BeKind21 message is brought to you by our partners at Life is Good®.
Optimism is the foundation of kindness. It’s seeing the good in yourself, others, and the world around you. And by focusing on the positives, values like kindness can flourish. Here are three journaling exercises to help you get going:
1: SEE THE GOOD IN YOURSELF
PROMPT: Name 3 things you like about yourself:
- What qualities, characteristics, or personality traits do you like about yourself?
- What values, beliefs, or attitudes do you hold that you appreciate?
- What skills, talents, knowledge, or experience do you have that help others?
HOW THIS HELPS: Seeing the good in ourselves is the foundation for seeing the good around us.
2. SEE THE GOOD IN OTHERS
PROMPT: Think of someone you enjoy interacting with regularly and find three things that you appreciate in them. Then, think about someone with whom you sometimes struggle. Name three good things about them.
HOW THIS HELPS: While it might seem easy to call-out positive things about people we enjoy interacting with, we strengthen our ability to see more than just the challenges in “challenging” people when we try to see the good in them, too.
3. SEE THE GOOD IN THE WORLD
PROMPT: Think about the last 24 hours and reflect on something good that you experienced. Take a few deep breaths to focus while trying to re-experience that feeling. Then, think back to identify something challenging you’ve experienced and taken some time to reflect on how that challenge served a positive purpose in your life.
HOW THIS HELPS: Celebrating positive moments helps us to experience them more fully. Additionally, showing gratitude for challenges through a lens of optimism often highlights that even the most difficult times spur discovery, learning, growth, and opportunity.
Your kindness challenge today: Try these journaling exercises and encourage a loved one to try them, too.
In Kindness,
Life is Good
P.S. Invite someone to join the challenge: bornthisway.foundation/bekind21.
