Kindness is also an energy that can be passed on. Many great things happen when you are kind. People respond favorably. It brightens a person's day. It uplifts and encourages. Sometimes an act of kindness can create such an impact that the person remembers the moment for the rest of his or her life. Perhaps you will remember too. When you are kind it puts people at ease.

It allows someone to get through an awkward moment and not feel judged. Kindness is not something that can necessarily be paid back. It propels someone forward from a stuck space. Kindness can be moved forward. When someone is kind to you, you can pass it on. You can extend the original act.

Many people are so hurt and so wounded that they need a lot of kindness. They need gentleness. You can be a person who makes a difference in their lives. It doesn't take much to be kind. A smile, a gentle look, a gentle touch on the arm, a hug to let them know that you understand and you don't judge them. Saying it's ?okay,? or ?things will get better,? is all that they may need to hear. A small gift can make someone feel very special: flowers to someone who doesn't expect them, or telling someone that she is beautiful when she doesn't feel it and no one has ever told her. She will remember you.

There are many ways to be kind to someone, from simple ways to very big and directed acts of kindness. One act of kindness can affect great changes. It can create a chain reaction that grows bigger and spreads wider. If you think about ways to be kind, I'm sure that you can come up with many. Practice random acts of kindness.

Any one can be kind at any time. It doesn't take an extraordinary person. If you stay in the moment and really respond to what is happening, opportunities appear for you to be kind. Remember that you don't know who may be observing that act of kindness. You don't know how someone else might be impacted. The idea of kindness might be spread from you to that person, allowing her to carry something greater with her. You don't know if that act of kindness might change her or encourage her to greater heights. So why don't you try a random act of kindness? I think you'll like how you feel, and you will like the results. copyright 2006 Yoga Kat