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Hello Humankindness

How practicing kindness could make your life so much better.

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Dignity Health

The first time most of us learned about the importance of being kind was back in preschool, so let's travel back there (in our minds).

Photo by Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash.

Perhaps it was while you were sitting on your nap mat watching an episode of "Mr. Rogers"? Or maybe it was after you decided to share the Lego set you were working on with a friend? The particular setting doesn't matter; what does matter is that you were developing the fundamental building blocks to make the world a better place. All it took was a little thoughtfulness.


And remember how great it made you feel when you were commended for helping another kid out? That sense of pride probably made your entire week. Even though you were just a little kid, you were making an impact. And it wasn't even hard.

So what happened?

You're certainly not an unkind person, but somewhere between nap time, graduating from college, and working on your career, you've probably spent a little less time reaching out and giving back. Even though you always mean to get into volunteering on the weekends, sometimes it's just hard to wake up before 10 after a long week.

But you should know, being kind isn't just about helping other people — it can also make you healthier, stronger, and even help you live longer.

[rebelmouse-image 19397527 dam="1" original_size="750x500" caption="Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash." expand=1]Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash.

Your parents, teachers and yes, even Mr. Rogers weren't just encouraging you to be kind to make the world better — they were looking out for you, too.

Research has shown that teaching kids the power of kindness activates the joy centers of their brains, which decreases stress and helps them feel more connected to the world around them. Even more importantly, it fosters a sense of gratitude which allows kids to feel good about themselves and what they've done.

As an adult, you get just as many benefits. For instance, practicing kindness towards both yourself and others can lower blood pressure. It can also help you live a stronger, happier and longer life.

"Practicing kindness allows us to move into the present moment and connect with other humans, which reminds others, and ourselves, that we aren't alone,"writesLisa Olivera, an Oakland, CA-based psychotherapist, in an email.

"By practicing kindness, we create a more supportive, safe, and nourishing world around and within us. It benefits not only those we practice it towards, but also ourselves in so many ways."

And being kind isn't time-consuming. We can all fit it into our schedules.

[rebelmouse-image 19397528 dam="1" original_size="750x500" caption="Photo by Nina Strehl/Unsplash." expand=1]Photo by Nina Strehl/Unsplash.

While you may think that giving back to the people around you requires a huge effort, kindness isn't a competition or a race. Try starting small — it could be something as simple as smiling to someone you see walking towards you. Even that makes a difference.

Or better yet, try saying 'hello' to people you meet, walk past, and interact with. "When we make genuine connections with fellow humans, no matter how brief, we leave a lasting impact," notes Olivera. "We also foster a sense of community and connectedness in our daily lives by intentionally interacting kindly with those around us, which benefits our overall well-being."

And what's even more impactful than talking? Listening. "Truly listening is one of the most kind things we can do for someone," continues Olivera. "Attention is one of the greatest forms of generosity, as Simone Weil so poignantly states. When we offer someone our attention and actively listen, we create a space for them to feel heard and seen, which is one of the most kind and healing acts we can possibly offer."

You can also take on a task that you know isn't pleasant for someone. Notice that a neighbor hasn't been able to get their trash out to the curb? Help them. Have a friend who might need a ride to the store? Offer them one. Someone in your family too tired or too stressed to do the dishes? Tag in and help out. While these task may be almost nothing to you, Olivera points out that even the tiniest gesture can be meaningful when you do it with kind intentions.

Be aware of how those around you are feeling, and respond accordingly. One of the best ways to give back is to look around you and notice others, and take an interest in their lives. Participate in their joys, lend an ear for their sorrows, ask your friends and neighbors how they're doing in a way that communicates that you're truly interested, not just asking to be polite. This, Olivera writes, offers both a chance for connection and allows others to feel seen.

Kindness may be easy to give, but turning it into a habit is a journey that starts with your well-being.

[rebelmouse-image 19397529 dam="1" original_size="750x816" caption="Photo by Hian Oliveira on Unsplash." expand=1]Photo by Hian Oliveira on Unsplash.

You have to work on being kind to make a meaningful change. But you can't be kind to others if you're not kind to you. So start by being gentle with yourself first. Being kind to you will make it easier to do the same for others.

"When we fill ourselves up with kindness and self-compassion, our lens of the world changes," writes Olivera. "We can more easily offer empathy and compassion to others."

"When we show up fully for ourselves, showing up for others becomes a natural and important part of living and being in the world."

Being kind is so simple, which is why kids often do it best. If we can all try to channel that altruistic impulse we had down pat as kids everyday, the impact we could make on the world would be extraordinary.

Identity

Celebrate International Women's Day with these stunning photos of female leaders changing the world

The portraits, taken by acclaimed photographer Nigel Barker, are part of CARE's "She Leads the World" campaign.

Images provided by CARE

Kadiatu (left), Zainab (right)

True

Women are breaking down barriers every day. They are transforming the world into a more equitable place with every scientific discovery, athletic feat, social justice reform, artistic endeavor, leadership role, and community outreach project.

And while these breakthroughs are happening all the time, International Women’s Day (Mar 8) is when we can all take time to acknowledge the collective progress, and celebrate how “She Leads the World.

This year, CARE, a leading global humanitarian organization dedicated to empowering women and girls, is celebrating International Women’s Day through the power of portraiture. CARE partnered with high-profile photographer Nigel Barker, best known for his work on “America’s Next Top Model,” to capture breathtaking images of seven remarkable women who have prevailed over countless obstacles to become leaders within their communities.

“Mabinty, Isatu, Adama, and Kadiatu represent so many women around the world overcoming incredible obstacles to lead their communities,” said Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA.

Barker’s bold portraits, as part of CARE’s “She Leads The World” campaign, not only elevate each woman’s story, but also shine a spotlight on how CARE programs helped them get to where they are today.

About the women:

Mabinty

international womens day, care.org

Mabinty is a businesswoman and a member of a CARE savings circle along with a group of other women. She buys and sells groundnuts, rice, and fuel. She and her husband have created such a successful enterprise that Mabinty volunteers her time as a teacher in the local school. She was the first woman to teach there, prompting a second woman to do so. Her fellow teachers and students look up to Mabinty as the leader and educator she is.

Kadiatu

international womens day, care.org

Kadiatu supports herself through a small business selling food. She also volunteers at a health clinic in the neighboring village where she is a nursing student. She tests for malaria, works with infants, and joins her fellow staff in dancing and singing with the women who visit the clinic. She aspires to become a full-time nurse so she can treat and cure people. Today, she leads by example and with ambition.

Isatu

international womens day, care.org

When Isatu was three months pregnant, her husband left her, seeking his fortune in the gold mines. Now Isatu makes her own way, buying and selling food to support her four children. It is a struggle, but Isatu is determined to be a part of her community and a provider for her kids. A single mother of four is nothing if not a leader.

Zainab

international womens day, care.org

Zainab is the Nurse in Charge at the Maternal Child Health Outpost in her community. She is the only nurse in the surrounding area, and so she is responsible for the pre-natal health of the community’s mothers-to-be and for the safe delivery of their babies. In a country with one of the world’s worst maternal death rates, Zainab has not lost a single mother. The community rallies around Zainab and the work she does. She describes the women who visit the clinic as sisters. That feeling is clearly mutual.

Adama

international womens day, care.org

Adama is something few women are - a kehkeh driver. A kehkeh is a three-wheeled motorcycle taxi, known elsewhere as a tuktuk. Working in the Kissy neighborhood of Freetown, Adama is the primary breadwinner for her family, including her son. She keeps her riders safe in other ways, too, by selling condoms. With HIV threatening to increase its spread, this is a vital service to the community.

Ya Yaebo

international womens day, care.org

“Ya” is a term of respect for older, accomplished women. Ya Yaebo has earned that title as head of her local farmers group. But there is much more than that. She started as a Village Savings and Loan Association member and began putting money into her business. There is the groundnut farm, her team buys and sells rice, and own their own oil processing machine. They even supply seeds to the Ministry of Agriculture. She has used her success to the benefit of people in need in her community and is a vocal advocate for educating girls, not having gone beyond grade seven herself.

On Monday, March 4, CARE will host an exhibition of photography in New York City featuring these portraits, kicking off the multi-day “She Leads the World Campaign.

Learn more, view the portraits, and join CARE’s International Women's Day "She Leads the World" celebration at CARE.org/sheleads.


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Over or under? Surprisingly, there actually is a 'correct' way to hang a toilet paper roll.

Let's settle this silly-but-surprisingly-heated debate once and for all.

Elya/Wikimedia Commons

Should you hang the toilet paper roll over or under?



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Photo via iStock.

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