Book Review: Our Lady's Picture Book
Being kind is important not just to live out the faith but also to live a good life and to be happy. The Lord DOES care about our happiness, and treating people with kindness, dignity, and respect enable us t to live his commands in the proper way. Here are a few ways to be kind and to live out the Beatitudes.
Remember Our Religion Calls Us to be Kind
Our Catholic faith calls us to be kind. Reflecting on saints such as St. Teresa of Calcutta and numerous others who have lived lives of charity in helping the poor and marginalized is a sure way to love God and neighbor. Religion and the following of it is not just a "rule book" or a set of do's and don'ts. It means something to add kind demeanor and niceness in our interactions in modeling Christ. This is a sure way to evangelize when we can demonsrate the love of God to others by being a kind person.
Being Kind is Good for Your Health
Studies have shown in recent years that those who make it a point to volunteer, help others, and in general be a charitable person are healthier. Those who do this have been shown to live longer, be happier, and live more productive lives than those who let selfishness creep in to their daily lives. Good habits such as listening to others, doing favors for them, reaching out, and genuinely caring make a difference for one's mental and emotional health and to feel productive in God's kingdom.
It is the Right Thing to Do
Kindness is simply the right thing to do to make life more meaningful and to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. It is all over Holy Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church the idea of following the Lord through good and kind acts toward others. It is the right thing to reach out by caring, listening, and loving others through kindness. It makes a massiave impact on the world to follow this command of Jesus to be kind and loving to our fellow human beings.
It is a moment by moment process to become more kind, loving and empathetic, but don't give up on yourself. Keep trying, praying, and exercising goodnes to everyone you meet.