Kindness is Our Superpower
Everyone has an opportunity to be kind. You can make a difference in your own way at home, at work, school, and out in the community. The dictionary defines “being kind” as a sympathetic or helpful nature. The act of kindness can mean different things to different people. It can be displayed through acceptance, consideration, empathy, favors, generosity, gestures, good deeds, and other countless acts. A small act kindness has an impact on one person’s life. And that one act can transform the world, one heart at a time. Kindness has a ripple effect that transcends time and space.
Kindness Activities, Resources and Links
7 Ways to Start Making Kindness the Norm in Your Daily Life
- Start with a Smile: Smile at a stranger or a colleague as you pass by; it’s a simple, easy way to spread positive energy.
- Listen Actively: When a friend or coworker is sharing a story, put your phone down, make eye contact, and show genuine interest in what they are saying.
- Offer Compliments: Compliment a coworker on a job well done, or tell someone you appreciate their work ethic, or positivity.
- Help Without Expectation: Perform small acts of kindness, like holding a door or offering assistance, without expecting anything in return. Pay it forward and buy a coffee for the person behind you in line.
- Show Gratitude: Send a quick thank-you message or a handwritten note to someone who helped you, even in small ways, like a coworker who answered a question or a friend who listened.
- Be Patient: When in a long line or stuck in traffic, practice staying calm and refrain from complaining or expressing frustration, making the environment less stressful for everyone.
- Spread Positivity: Share an inspirational or uplifting post on social media, or leave a positive review for a small business you like, helping to create a more supportive atmosphere.
Make Kindness the Norm with People with disAbilities
We value inclusivity at Asotin County Community Services, especially for those with disABILITIES. Sadly, people with disabilities are often not thought of as equals or valued members of our community. People with disabilities want to be treated in the same manner as everyone else. Regardless of ability, visible or not, be kind always, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
Kindly put people first. People with disabilities ARE people FIRST and their disability second. Being an inclusive community benefits all members.
People living with disabilities benefit from an inclusive environment with improved mental health due to decreased social isolation and mental stimulation. They experience greater opportunities and more independence and have better access to health care, education, housing, and employment.
A more diverse and inclusive community is more compassionate and appreciate of individual differences. The community benefits from a healthier economy due to the increased spending power of people with disabilities who have jobs and independence. Employers benefit from decreased employee turnover and a more positive company culture.
Tips to Creating an Inclusive Community
- Start Conversations – A great way to learn something new is to simply ask. 1 in 4 adults live with some kind of disability. Some may have a need that you can help with. Others may simply want your friendship.
- Learn About Disability – Ask someone with a disability about their disability and you will be amazed at the countless daily challenges that can affect their ability to access a store, easily get to work, navigate sidewalks, or access healthcare.
- Look at Your Environment Through Different Eyes – Take some time to make observations about accessibility. How would you cope if you were in a wheelchair and had to use broken or non-existent sidewalks? What if you had low vision, or were blind, how would you navigate the community? Or had autism or neurodivergent conditions that light or sound distracted you from concentrating or completing tasks?
- Lead By Example – Creating an inclusive community can begin with you. Create an inclusive workplace. Ensure your social gathering is comfortable, welcoming, and accommodating.
- Become a Disability Advocate – Help convince others to understand the value of full community inclusion. Let’s work together for a more compassionate, kind, and inclusive society.
- Skip the Labels. Use of either extreme praise or negative labels inevitably over-emphasize, making the disability the focus instead of the person. People don’t want to be pitied or victimized by a disability. Treat people with disabilities as the equals they are.
- Manage the Misconceptions. Many disabilities aren’t visible and even those that are, come with many unkind assumptions. Remember “you can’t judge a book by its cover” and it’s more important to be kind to everyone. Everyone we meet is facing a challenge we know nothing about.
- Never Talk Down to a Person with a Disability. It bears repeating that people with disabilities are people first and should be treated as such. Speak as you would to anyone else, with eye contact, a normal voice, and most of all kindness and respect.
- Respect Personal Space and Kindly Ask Before Assisting. If someone is in a wheelchair, using a cane, or other aid/tool for assistance, please don’t assume they need help. Ask if you can help, but don’t take offense if the answer is “no.” Most people with disabilities have learned to be independent or are adapting and find it beneficial to do things for themselves.
- Understand that Teachable Moments are Kind, Not Awkward. Children have a natural, uninhibited curiosity. Rather than silencing your child’s curiosity about why someone is in a wheel chair, or talks or acts differently, use it to explain that “everyone is different and it’s ok.” Ask the person if they mind if their child asks questions. Chances are both of you and your child will learn something positive.
- Don’t Be Intrusive.
- Find Commonalities Rather Than Differences. We all have families, jobs, hobbies, favorite foods, sports, likes and dislikes. With or without disabilities, we have different backgrounds, personalities, and pet peeves. Kindness can help people make connections and identify similarities regardless of physical, emotional, or spiritual differences.
- Listen With Compassion. Let’s face it….friends vent to each other without needing a problem to be solved. Listen, hear, validate without unnecessary and inapplicable comparisons. A supportive ear is kind.
- Support a Disability-Serving Charity. Support the disability community by donating time, money, resources, and more. Your advocacy, volunteerism, and fundraising makes a difference.
- Be an Ally. Advocate for accessible workplaces, schools, and public places. Invite people with disabilities into your life, and kindly enter theirs. Speak up when you hear others use discriminatory words or misconceptions about people with disabilities.