Westlake Forest December 2017
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KINDNESS MATTERS<br />
From: http://www.glgc.com/kindness/why.html<br />
Why Be Kind? Kindness leads to many of the virtues to which we value<br />
and desire and can lead us wherever we want to go: to a happier life, to<br />
being more Christ-like, to enlightenment, to making a difference in this<br />
world, to raising loving and kind children. The reasons for being kind<br />
are innumerable. Here are just a few:<br />
• Being kind feels good. Doing something for someone else really does<br />
make us feel good. Just as running releases endorphins, so does kindness.<br />
Make someone smile and you’ll feel better for having done so.<br />
• God smiles on kindness. Whether we are Christian, Jewish, Muslim<br />
or Buddhist, kindness is an important part of the exhortations of all<br />
these religions. Both Buddha and Christ were kind and encouraged<br />
their followers to be likewise.<br />
• Kindness broadens our perspective. In order to be kind, we have to<br />
pay attention to what is happening around us. As we notice more things<br />
and help others, we get a glimpse of other ways of looking at things. A<br />
broader perspective helps us to keep things in context.<br />
• Kindness softens our heart. When we look for kind deeds, beauty and<br />
the opportunity for kindness, we’ll find that we are more compassionate<br />
and more tolerant. As we practice empathy, it opens our heart to others.<br />
• Kindness brightens our world. When we are kind to people, it makes<br />
them happy. The more people who experience kindness from us, the<br />
more happy people will be in our lives. When those around us are happier,<br />
our world becomes a brighter, lighter place to live.<br />
• Kindness helps people feel respected and less alone. By recognizing<br />
someone’s need for help and acting on it in a compassionate manner, it<br />
makes the recipient feel valued. It also makes the giver feel better about<br />
themselves and more connected.<br />
• Kindness makes people want to be around us. One of the most common<br />
responses to kindness is gratitude. People appreciate what we’ve done<br />
for them. Our kindness is very attractive, so they want to be around<br />
us and actually seek us out. The Buddha lists this as one of the eleven<br />
impacts of loving kindness, but he put it even more strongly, saying:<br />
“Loving kindness will make people love you.”<br />
• Kindness bears wonderful fruit. Kindness begets kindness, openness,<br />
health and reduces the effects of stress on our bodies and our hearts.<br />
In many ways, kindness is like Liquid Plumber for the soul: it opens us<br />
up, clears out the dross and dwells lightly in our hearts.<br />
• Kindness begets kindness. When you are kind to others, the impact<br />
of your action doesn’t stop there. Many times the recipient of your<br />
kindness and others who see or hear about your kindness are inspired<br />
to be kinder. The ripples of kindness are truly endless.<br />
• Your kids will learn from your example. When you are kind to friends and<br />
acquaintances, your kids will be more likely to be kind as well. People<br />
often treat their children with kindness, but can be short with a crazy<br />
driver, strangers or others outside the family. This can cause “us and<br />
them” thinking that devalues others as “less” than ourselves. Kindness<br />
breeds tolerance and understanding.<br />
GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT!<br />
Feeling a little bah-humbug? Want to be the Grinch and stay that way?<br />
It is OKAY! Not everyone can get into the holiday mood, but you can at<br />
least try! Here are 10 ways to get into the holiday spirit!<br />
1. Reach out to family and friends. Make phone calls to parents, siblings,<br />
aunts and uncles, cousins, whomever you can reach. Ask how they’re<br />
doing, exchange news and feelings and express your love for them.<br />
2. Decorate the house. Hang up lights in front of your house, put up<br />
decorations, do everything! Hang wreaths on your front door and put<br />
up flashy lights to show off your spirit! The more decorations you have,<br />
the more festive you’ll feel!<br />
3. Listen to holiday music. Listening to holiday music will pump you up<br />
for the holidays! Play holiday music in the car, at home or just when you<br />
have free time. As you listen, think of all the exciting things that come<br />
with the holidays!<br />
4. Volunteer. You will immediately see, feel and soak in how blessed<br />
YOU ARE.<br />
5. Throw a party! Have a get together with people you haven’t seen in<br />
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Community Newsletter | <strong>December</strong> <strong>2017</strong><br />
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