When violence happens that shakes your view of the world, as it did this past week, it can be overwhelming, even paralyzing. To recover after shocking news, especially when you feel helpless, it is important to find a simple solution.
To counter the bad news, one option is to give a bit of kindness or service.
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." Aesop's fable, The Lion and the Mouse.*
The idea is to use acts of kindness to put good out into the world through volunteering, offering emotional support by listening, sharing your skills, or by giving material support like money or items. More importantly, these often cause a rebound of good feelings to your own heart.
Try This: Give a Gift of Yourself
To build up your own mood, you can try the simple pleasure of an act of kindness. It costs nothing yet can lift others as well as yourself. Here are a few ideas to try this week:
- Give a hug or gentle tap on the arm
- Give a handwritten note of love
- Give a verbal compliment
- Give appreciation of a good thing in email or text
My favorite one is giving a hug, and I try for at least five a day. It's also easy to write a note or send a quick email or text. These are essentially free options that can lift your own mood while also lifting another.
*Aesop’s fable quote https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-quotes/127-no-act-of-kindness-no