31-Days of Kindness: Day 29

31-Days of Kindness: Day 29
“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.”  ~ William Arthur Ward

Today’s Act of Kindness: Give the gift of your smile today as often as possible.

According to an article published by the Association of Psychological Science, “Other muscles can simulate a smile, but only the peculiar tango of the zygomatic major and the orbicularis oculi produces a genuine expression of positive emotion. Psychologists call this the “Duchenne smile,” and most consider it the sole indicator of true enjoyment…French anatomist Guillaume Duchenne…wrote that the zygomatic major can be willed into action, but that only the “sweet emotions of the soul” force the orbicularis oculi to contract.”

An inactive orbicularis oculi must be the difference between a smile that moves the mouth but never reaches the eyes. Let your smile make your eyes sparkle and spread through your whole body today as an act of kindness to yourself and all those who see your smile.

🙂

31-Days of Kindness: Day 28

31-Days of Kindness: Day 28

One of the best guides to how to be self-loving is to give ourselves the love we are often dreaming about receiving from others. ~ Bell Hooks
A yoga practice is a good way to practice so many things; reliably show up for yourself on your mat, move in ways that nurture you, approach every pose in authentic kindness by working more or less according to your real needs, speak to yourself kindly when you don’t get it right because you won’t always get it right.

Here is today’s yoga practice link.

31-Days of Kindness: Day 27

31-Days of Kindness: Day 27
“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural
    impulse to express that feeling.” ~ Henry Van Dyke

Today’s Act of Kindness: Create a list of things you are grateful for and share it over dinner or a video call. You might also consider creating a gratitude jar that everyone in your household can add to each night for the next five days to be read on New Year’s Eve.

Reflecting on what you already have in your life as a way to stay present is often the focus of most gratitude practices. There is value in the practice of placing your attention where you want it. There is also value in recognizing the beautiful life that is right there in front of you.

What if the benefits of a practice ran deeper than that?

According to current scientific literature through peer reviewed studies, practicing gratitude has tremendous positive effects on mental and physical health. The means to these effects may surprise you.

Certain key elements to scientifically supported protocols include the need for story (narrative) and the importance of receiving or perceiving gratitude rather than giving it. Interesting, isn’t it? Have a listen to the Huberman Lab Podcast (one of my favourite podcasts right now) to learn more and to learn how to build a highly effective practice.

31-Days of Kindness: Day 26

31-days of kindness: day 26
“And I said to my body, softly, ‘I want to be your friend.’ It took a long breath and replied, ‘I have been waiting my whole life for this.’” ~ Nayyirah Waheed

Be a friend to your body; speak to it with kindness, eat healthy food, drink water, spend time outside, move. Here is today’s home yoga practice link.

31-Days of Kindness: Day 24

31-Days of Kindness
“Did your mom ever tell you, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything’?
She was right, and talking nicely also applies
when you’re talking to yourself, even inside your head.” ~ Victoria Moran

Start eavesdropping on your inner critic and limit distractions by kindly redirecting your attention inward to your breath and to sensations in your body as you move. Here is the link for today’s home yoga practice.

31-Days of Kindness: Day 23

31-Days of Kindness with Katherine
“What if you knew that the next person you’d see would be the last person you
    would ever see? You’d be right there soaking it in, experiencing it. It wouldn’t
  matter what they were saying; you’d just enjoy hearing the words because it
  would be the last conversation you’d ever have. What if you brought that kind of 
  awareness to every conversation? That’s what happens when you’re told that
    death is around the corner: you change, life doesn’t change.” ~ Michael A. Singer 

Listen with kind attention today. Soak it all in. Don’t allow yourself to miss out on the life and love that is right there in front of you.

31-Days of Kindness: Day 21

31-Days of Kindness: Day 21

To know the dark
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
~ Wendell Berry

It’s the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere! Eat dinner by candlelight to celebrate. Reflect upon the kindness of the sun, earth and all human beings who played a part in the food on your table. Over dinner reflect on the difficulties you have experienced in the last year and how it has or might bring you toward a new dawning and personal growth.