Gift Of Kindness

The holiday season is in full swing and the fervor is ripe in the air.It can also bring out drama,pain and anxiety for many.It is important to remember that gifts we give need not always be tangible or “things”.

Selfless acts of kindness given without any expectation is probably the best gift you will ever give to someone else and yourself.Loving kindness promotes gratitude,empathy and compassion.

There are documented benefits to this.It stimulates the same neural circuitry as the chemical highs with drugs and sugar-resulting in significant sense of well being.It produces dopamine,serotonin,oxytocin reducing stress,pain and increasing sense of interconnectedness.This in turn helps with anxiety and depression.

You don’t have to go looking for opportunities to practice compassion.Charity and volunteering are wonderful starts.However,it could be something as simple as accepting the shadow side of a loved one or trying hard to see something good in a relative who always pushes your buttons.Lending your ear to somebody reminiscing the lost loved one or giving a break to the caretaker of someone battling a disease.Asking an individual struggling with failing memory about their fondest holiday memories or asking about favored holiday recipes to someone who has just moved to assisted living and is no longer able to host holiday gathering.Sharing holidays with somebody who is lonely even if it is not part of your faith.Including person with mental health issues even though they might put a damper in the holiday cheer.The opportunities are endless.

So instead of that spiked eggnog,let’s get high on kindness this year.