What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

More kindness. It’s a topic garnering press EVERYWHERE. One well-designed kindness infographic on Pinterest can rack up millions of impressions. But let’s venture beyond trending New Year’s topics for deeper exploration. I mean. What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Even Look Like?

Pink sky. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?
Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

I snapped these pictures on a stroll through Notting Hill as the sun was sinking low, and. YES…the pink sky was THIS PINK. The October air was unseasonably warm, and my heart soared with gratitude.

What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

Even though we all understand the rippling ramifications of cultivating kindness, we rarely seem to discuss what greater kindness to self entails or how it varies from indulgent, selfish behavior.

Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

Am I even credentialed to weigh in on the topic? I honestly don’t know.

Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

And that’s okay. Because an aim of my journeying in recent years has been to become an ‘I don’t know it all’ anyway.

Inspiring kindness quote. Hello Lovely Studio.

I’m not the spiritually evolved kindness queen with the eBook as much as the often awkward clumsy, contemplative fairie listening for a sweet note floating on the air.

Inspiring quote about giving from Anne Frank. Hello Lovely Studio.
Inspiring quote by Anne Frank: NO ONE HAS EVER BECOME POOR BY GIVING. 
Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

I love how a new year presents an opportunity for NEW. New kindnesses, new ways of seeing, and new imperfect attempts to love better.

Classic British red telephone booth in London. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?
Dalai Lama quote about kindness. Hello Lovely Studio.
Inspiring quote from the Dalai Lama: MY RELIGION IS SIMPLE. MY RELIGION IS KINDNESS. 

Greater kindness to yourself is not about rewarding yourself for good behavior, reformed habits, diet success or spiritual evolution.

Beautiful cathedral in London. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?
Fall tree in London garden. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?
Inspiring quote about kindness. Hello Lovely Studio.
Inspiring quote from Paramahansa Yogananda: KINDNESS IS THE LIGHT THAT DISSOLVES
 ALL WALLS BETWEEN SOULS, FAMILIES, AND NATIONS. Hello Lovely Studio.

It isn’t another self-transformation strategy to add to your NEW YEAR, NEW YOU toolkit. It’s not new age-y or cloaked narcissism either.

Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

Increased kindness to your SELF is more like the tender hands of a mother gently smoothing her newborn’s fontanel.

Fall leaves in London. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

Those are the loving hands you deserve.

Greater kindness to yourself grows as a response to feeling loved by and connected to a source of endless mercy.

It begins with a small yes and a willingness to become still.

Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

What do gestures of greater kindness to the SELF look like?

Inspiring quote about kindness. Hello Lovely Studio.
Inspiring quote by Eric Hoffer: KINDNESS CAN BECOME ITS OWN MOTIVE. WE ARE MADE
 KIND BY BEING KIND.
Garden gate in London. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

I think it begins with an inward glance. We unplug from distractions. We visit the spaciousness of the soul.

Breathtaking classic Greco exterior of London mansion. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

When I surrender deeply in prayer (and my practices may not resemble yours), it feels safe to begin letting go of mistakes, pride, resentments, and hurts.

Vibrant red door in London. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

In your soul, your heart of hearts, your gleaming true self which cannot be harmed or tarnished by what others say or by what you have done, kindness is waiting.

Inspiring quote about kindness. Hello Lovely Studio.
Inspiring quote by Abraham Joshua Heschel: WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I USED TO ADMIRE INTELLIGENT PEOPLE; AS I GROW OLDER, I 
ADMIRE KIND PEOPLE. 

It is in the spaciousness we can simply rest and BE.

Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

As you connect with the deepest part of you, a mix of emotions may come. Allowing them to gently float right by takes practice. But make no mistake. Those emotions – those billowy clouds drifting in and out – are the weather.

Pink sky. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

It is the beauty underneath the flurry of temporal feelings and thoughts that is who you truly are. So if you wrestle at all with whether you are deserving of kindness (because you’re not productive enough, easygoing enough, or motivated enough), let’s settle that score RIGHT HERE.

Fall in London. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

Oh, friend, YOU DESERVE KINDNESS.

Inspiring quote about kindness. Hello Lovely Studio.
Inspiring quote by C. A. Bartol: GENTLENESS AND KINDNESS WILL MAKE OUR HOMES A PARADISE UPON EARTH.

You are a living, breathing gift.

Just where you are, without any transformation plans in place, without proper credentials or resources, you ARE.

Charming window box with ivy, mums, and cypress in London. Hello Lovely Studio. #windowbox #ivy #gardeninspiration #curbappeal
Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?
Classic London townhouse exterior with climbing vines. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?
Classic black door in London. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

What an illusion when we fail to see we already ARE the beauty we seek! We are made of the good stuff!

Climbing vines and blooms in London! Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

What an adventure to bravely excavate our worth and begin to flow with the source.

Pink door. Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

Greater kindness to self begins with a recognition we are made of divine perfection transcending any genetic blueprint, environmental influence, and even the choices we have made.

Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?
Notting Hill beauty, classic architecture, and inspiration from a London stroll by Hello Lovely Studio. Personal Reflections: What Does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

While we are faced with choices every second and our responses pack an undeniable impact, they still don’t get the last word

Scripture from 1 Corinthians 16:18. Let all that you do be done in love. Hello Lovely Studio. #corinthians #love #scripture #quote
Hello Lovely Studio.

Lavishing self-kindness can refine our responses and over time, help us become less reactive and more patient.

The fruits of inner transformation spill out into the world and into our relationships, in many cases, healing and reconciling what we touch.

Inspiring quote. Give like the sun and the whole world grows tall. Hello Lovely Studio. #quote #kindness #inspirationalquote

What does Greater Kindness to Yourself Look Like?

From where I stand…tender hands caressing a newborn – a better universe for all living creatures – healthier bodies – loving communities – thriving families – contented souls.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THE BEAUTY IN THE COMMENTS WITH YOUR OWN TRUTH AND WISDOM. I’m sharing this tenderness with the lovely bloggers at THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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6 Comments

  1. January 6, 2019 / 9:06 am

    What a beautiful post, Michele! Your words of kindness are just what this world needs to hear. Matthews Kelly writes that we can set out to have one holy moment each day. Then if we can have one, why can’t we have two or three? A holy moment can simply be forgiving someone or oneself. That kindness has an effect on the world whether we know it or not. After awhile things start to change for the better. Keep writing my friend!

    • michele
      Author
      January 6, 2019 / 2:48 pm

      Beautiful thought, Holly! Collecting holy moments is so purposeful and lovely! xox

  2. January 29, 2019 / 9:39 am

    Michele,
    What a lovely post and thanks for sharing at TFT. You are wrong, I think your post is better than a tutorial for cupcakes. Any one can do that, but you have a special gift for writing your articles. I love reading them. Kindness is so powerful and yet it seems that so many struggle with it. How different our lives and our world would be if we put kindness first.
    Hugs,
    Bev

    • michele
      Author
      January 29, 2019 / 12:27 pm

      So grateful for your encouragement, Bev. You just made my day! Hugs to you, friend.

    • michele
      Author
      January 31, 2019 / 10:57 am

      Thanks so much, Bev! I’m honored.

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing