Cheap therapy (for the world)

Cheap therapy (for the world)

Hey, as if you haven’t already noticed, our world is in turmoil. No, I’m not going to bombard you with more bad news. However, this WILL be an intervention. Intervention? Noun: “action taken to improve a situation.” There you go!

Bet you’re asking yourself what kind of intervention can tame the chaos in our world? On a macro scale, damned if I know. (Well, maybe voting….) However, Ms. Micro Intervention (moi) has lots to say. Micro, micro - small. Um, so what kind of impact will “small“ actions have on the chaos around us? In a word - LOTS. (Trust me here.)

And, let’s make it 360°cheap therapy, to boot. Truly amazing, in that what you put out literally comes back and raises your own spirits. Pretty good return on your investment, eh? (No, no, I’m not willing to make your investments for you…)

Here ‘tis. The intervention is….Kindness. Huh? Trite? Simplistic? You’re pulling my leg, right?

Nope, no leg pulling entailed. Just kindness, straight up. Okey, dokey, make this one interesting, Jan!

“Acts of kindness can release hormones that contribute to your mood and overall wellbeing. The practice is so effective it's being formally incorporated into some types of psychotherapy.”

See, what did I tell you! Being kind not only has a pretty straightforward positive impact on someone else, BUT the biological kickback also lifts you up. Not bad, not bad, at all. (Speaking of a great return on an investment😉)

Small examples of daily kindness:

• Showing kindness to any customer rep I’m speaking with on the phone. “Hey, Thank you! You’ve been a great help. Have a wonderful day.”  (Yes, I do like to lay it on heavy, but it is a 360° kindness event.)

• Saying individual and enthusiastic “Hey’s” to the employees at my food co-op. (“Hey” is a southern thing.)

• Making a kind comment about her hairstyle to the receptionist who just made my return appointment to the MD.

• And, oh, yes, while picking up my mail, waving at the drivers passing by (whether I know them or not.)

Above is a lovely smorgasbord of opportunities awaiting outward kindness and its personal kickback, lifting your own spirits. Your mission is, should you choose to accept it - share kindness. Start where you are. Plant one seed of kindness, and then another, and another. It’s full circle nurturance – others and yourself. We all so need nurturance, now, of whatever scale…