Be Good, Do Good, Feel Good

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can." - John Wesley

I think it is safe to say if given a choice we all want to lead and live happier lives. One way to increase our chances of being happier on a daily basis is to focus on doing good deeds and acts of kindness. Doing good deeds not only helps others, but we also benefit from it as well in different ways. It's no secret that when we do good things for others, it not only makes the other person happy, as a result, we feel happier too.

Doing good deeds can not only help us mentally and emotionally, but science has shown that it can help you physically and improve your health.  When we perform good deeds our brains release endorphins, also known as the feel-good chemicals in our brains. This produces what is sometimes referred to as a 'helper's high'. Kindness also stimulates the production of serotonin, which is another feel-good chemical that is healing and helps to keep you calm.

Think about a time you did a good deed, and how you felt after doing it. Did you experience an adrenaline rush? How about after spending a day donating your time, or after a full productive day spent volunteering. Did you notice a feeling of increased satisfaction and accomplishment, and maybe even feel more relaxed? Or what about a time when you really helped someone out. Did you find yourself even more inspired and motivated?

Doing good deeds is known to generate feelings of increased satisfaction, gratitude, and overall improved well-being. This can lead to less stress, reduced hypertension, contribute to a healthier mind and body, and of course, increased happiness.

Good deeds can come in many shapes or forms. Each day, we have the opportunity to consciously and intentionally perform little acts of kindness. Quite simply it's about doing something nice for someone else, without them asking, and without expecting anything in return. 

These good deeds or acts of kindness can be as simple and as small as you like.  A smile, a kind word, a compliment. Maybe a gift, or a note. It could also be giving of your time, or a helping hand. Maybe lending a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, reassurance or support. The opportunities are endless. And, there is no limit.

Often referred to as 'Random' acts of kindness, I like to think of them as 'Intentional' acts of kindness. We need to be intentional in our approach and take action. It is a positive thing to have good intentions and to want to help others. But if you don't act upon those things intentionally, it won't make a difference. Great ideas and thoughts need to be backed with action. We've all heard the phrase "You don't get paid on good intentions," this holds true if your desire is to truly make a difference and live a life of significance.  To be intentional is to take action, to do with purpose and on purpose. 

It is okay to start with good intentions, but in order to truly make a difference, you have to make the shift from having good intentions, to intentionally living, which will eventually lead to a life of significance.

Each of us has a spark of life inside us, and our highest endeavor ought to be to set off that spark in one another. These acts of kindness are gifts that all of us can afford to give. Good deeds and acts of kindness are deliberate attempts to brighten someone else's day by doing something unexpected that is thoughtful, caring, helpful, inspiring, supportive, or just really nice. And these small and simple acts can help make the world around us a better place.

Practice good deeds and acts of kindness, always. Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how. A person who truly does things that count doesn't usually stop to count them. Make things count!  Always find opportunities to make someone smile, and to offer kindness in everyday life. Reach out and make a positive difference in someone's life today...not because you have to...but because you can! 

These little acts of kindness might not be so little in the eyes of the person who desperately needs one.  You never know what others may be going through.  Everyone is fighting some kind of hard battle in their lives. Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are making them feel good about you and strive to leave every personal interaction better than you found it.

Here's to all the people who help others get back up more times than they are knocked down. Who gives more than they ever expect to receive. Who still show love to others even when their own heart is broken. Who smile through the sad times. Who lights the way for others. Who spread laughter and joy.  Thank you for making the world a better place. While there are unlimited possibilities of things you can do to be kind, but the most important thing is to expect nothing in return. You are never more like God than when you give when you take time for people, or when you do something good for somebody who can never repay you. 

You cannot do kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late. Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can. Be kind to one another. Be good, do good, feel good. Start today. 

Make today great!

Curtis

"Do good, live in the most positive and joyful way possible every day." - Roy T. Bennett