The promise of a New Year offers us a clean slate to renew vows and declarations of change. Now is the time when just about everyone is thinking about the changes they want to make in their lives over the coming months--some will be successful while others will revert back to their old habits and behaviors before it's time to flip the calendar over to February. The most-cited New Year's resolutions by Americans have to do with external events such as getting a better job, reducing debt, making a change in health habits or weight management. While these resolutions are worthwhile and valuable, I encourage you to consider adding one more to your list: "In 2007 I resolve to be a better person. I resolve to progress, grow and evolve in my personal and spiritual growth."
So often we get caught up in measuring our progress (or lack thereof) in extrinsic things such as numbers or items: purchases, inches, and pounds. This year I challenge you to commit to nurturing your own inner development. Make 2007 the year you cultivate mindfulness, patience, love, acceptance and peace. Make this the year you attract the same into your life. Just imagine the positive impact on you, your family and community if you were to strive to be a more kind and compassionate person. Below are some ideas to make 2007 the year you:
* Reach outside of yourself and volunteer in your town or community. You have gifts and skills that would enrich another's life. Help build homes for those less privileged. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Step outside of your protected safety zone and help the person nearby who would appreciate your actions.
* Become proactive in your local or national government. If your government isn't representing your voice, raise it so it can be heard!
* Do something positive for the environment. Start a recycling bin if you don't already recycle or volunteer to clean up the roadsides and public waterways. Educate yourself about the effects of global warming and make changes in your household.
* Identify a charity whose mission resonates with you and give of your time or make a monetary contribution.
* Do 1 kind thing each day such as open a door, offer a hug, visit a friend, send a "just thinking about you" email or note, be tolerant, smile at a stranger.
* Offer assistance to a family or individual in need that you read about in your local paper.
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"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into a flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."
--Albert Schweitzer
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What's In It For Me?
It's likely you have heard the the adage "Do unto others" and you may
have witnessed the Grinch's heart transformation as he changed his ways toward the Whos in Who-ville, but does engaging in kind acts really make a difference? Stanford psychologists found that the kindness effect is no myth. Subjects who performed five acts of kindness per week over six weeks reported higher levels of happiness than those who performed five acts of kindness in one day. The Stanford psychologists found that good deeds are actually the direct cause of an increase in personal well-being.
Author, Allan Luks states in his book "The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others," that adopting an altruistic lifestyle is a critical component to mental and physical health and helping others can diminish the effects of some psychological and physical disorders. Acts of kindness provide:
A heightened sense of well being
A sense of exhilaration and euphoria
An increase in energy
A feeling of being healthy
Decreased feelings of loneliness, depression and helplessness
A sense of connectedness with others
A greater sense of calmness and relaxation
Increased longevity
Better weight control
An improvement in insomnia
A stronger immune system
A reduction in pain
Increased body warmth
A healthier cardiovascular system (reduction of high blood pressure,
improved circulation, reduced coronary disease)
A reduction of excessive stomach acid
A decrease of oxygen requirement
Relief from arthritis and asthma
Speedier recovery from surgery
Reduced cancer activity
So the bottom line is that not only will you benefit psychologically from being kind and compassionate, but your health will improve as well!
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How Does It Work?
Dr Herbert Benson, a Harvard cardiologist and author of "The Relaxation Response" states that when we help others it allows us to 'forget one's self'. Another reason is that when we carry out an act of kindness, our body rewards us by creating a 'feel good' sensation, which boosts self esteem and well being. This experience has been termed the helper's high. The response is triggered when the body manufactures chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins are naturally occurring morphine-like substances that create a feeling of well-being within us. In addition to creating a feel good experience, they also help to reduce the intensity of any pain messages being sent to the brain.
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The Ripple Effect
When you choose to become a kinder person, you are not only improving the well being and health of yourself but also those you come into contact with. Your kindness has a ripple effect. It has the magical ability of causing even those who have witnessed the act to spontaneously feel good. When you make the decision to be a kinder person, you are effectively bringing about positive social change. Author Allan Luks states, "The new knowledge about [the beneficial effects of] helping others holds the power to affect not only the health of the individual, but the health of our entire, tension-ridden society". When we act kindly, others are nicer to us in return. Those who witness altruism pass it on to others. So this year start the wheels in motion, and as my friend says "BE THE CHANGE!"
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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single minute before starting to improve the world."
--Anne Frank
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