• IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Please read THIS THREAD about a rebrand for SF.

Jim's Cafe - Tuesday - August 6, 2024 - Kindness

Angie

Admin
SF Author
SF Supporter
#1
Hello SF folks!

I'm a bit under the weather, but I've had this topic in mind for a while. So bear with me if I ramble.

What does kindness mean to you?
Is kindness important?
What are examples of kindness
Do you think being kind helps you?
 

Bergerac

Well-Known Member
#3
Thanks for another great cafe, Angie *hug

What does kindness mean to you?
People treating you in a way that stems from a genuine decency towards you, based on good intentions.
Is kindness important?
Exceptionally so. It can make the difference between someone turning horrible or not, in the extreme sense.
What are examples of kindness
A kind word or action. Listening, taking action to help.
Do you think being kind helps you?
Yes, it calms me. Keeps me operating at a less aggressive level.

Hope everyone has a reasonable day *hug
 
#4
Thank you for a great cafe @Angie and I’m sorry you are feeling under the weather *hug
What does kindness mean to you?

I think for me kindness is being aware of the people around you, to help when needed, do your best to make them feel welcomed and like they mean something, even if it just by saying good morning with a smile or making a compliment

Is kindness important?

I think kindness is very important and it’s a part of how you live your life

What are examples of kindness?

I think helping someone who is in need (even a stranger) , smiling and reacting in a respectful and nice manner to others.

Do you think being kind helps you?

I think kindness is just the way I live my life. I always make sure to say hello to the workers in the store, or in my building and to do my best to be as kind as I can to the people around me. I think it helps me to feel a little better about myself

Anyway I hope everyone is having or will have a great day*grouphug2
 

Baywasp

I know the world turns and it will turn on me
SF Supporter
#5
Thanks for opening the cafe, @Angie and I hope you will be feeling better soon.

What does kindness mean to you? Kindness means sharing the love with others, and even ourselves, and recognizing our common humanity.
Is kindness important? I think it is one of the most important things in the world, and it makes life worth living.
What are examples of kindness? The way I most significantly know how to be kind to others is to be there for people and offer them help in ways that I have needed in the past and not necessarily have been able to have myself.
Do you think being kind helps you? In the end it does help, but sometimes it hurts along the way.

Here's a speech from a man whose legacy inspires me to try to be kinder every day. (And even better, he was born in Latrobe Pennsylvania and spent much of his life in Pittsburgh, the city that has become my home)
 

Lisa the Ferrociraptor

I'm all things, and so are you
Staff Alumni
SF Supporter
#6
Hey @Angie, this is another really interesting idea for a cafe. Thanks for opening it and for tagging me. *hug

What does kindness mean to you?
I'd probably say that to me, kindness means a recognition that the world can be a hard place, and it's a worthy endeavour to try and make your corner of the world that bit easier.

Is kindness important?
I'd say so. It feels like society can be sorely lacking in kindness sometimes. A lot of people in situations where nobody provides them any comfort or acceptance, and it's strange just how hard it is for most people to feel truly heard by anyone. With more kindness in circulation, i think everyone's lives could be significantly improved.

What are examples of kindness
I think people's minds largely go to the major acts, like buying a really nice gift for someone, or going really far out of your way to help them. But those are the acts that people remember and think highly of you for, so i think they're less the ones that make the most material difference, more the ones that gain you the most acclaim. To me, the acts of kindness that matter most are the small, everyday acts, the ones that consistently reinforce that people matter to you.

So for example, i show a lot of kindness to my best friend, and part of that was several big acts. I've bought him really nice gifts, i fought his case so he could go to a proper university, and i always made it very clear i'm here if he needs a fallback situation, like a place to crash or someone to help bail him out financially, to name a few. But i think we both recognise that the thing that's made the most difference is that i've always been there encouraging him and listening to him, as a shoulder to cry on and a reminder that he matters, that he deserves to be happy. He says that made him into the person he is today, and i can see why.

Do you think being kind helps you?
Yes and no. I always found that doing something good for someone else gave me a boost to my own mental wellbeing. But at the same time, i think i formed a pathology around it for a long time. I saw it less as "I do a good thing so i feel good about myself", and more as "I need to constantly be doing good things for others, or my life is pointless." And so i became a sort of helping addict. I wasn't helping people for the high so much as i had to keep helping people just to feel normal, to not hate myself.

Now i feel a lot healthier about it. I've accepted the fact of my existence is morally neutral, and now i just help people because i like helping others, because it feels authentically motivated. So i think being kind can do good for your mental state, but you have to be willing to help yourself first, show yourself that kindness before you show it to others. Charity begins at home.
 
Last edited:

snails

Useless currently
#7
It's hard for me to answer all the questions and read all of it but thr essence I love.
Kindness is everything I think. It's being heard, taking the time, not judging, giving care.
I've found so much kindness here and unexpectedly with healthcare. I'm ashamed I can only mutter thank you and run away, they could be horrible to me for wasting so much time.
Without kindness you get nowhere

I don't know that I'm very kind but the evidence would state that I do sometimes help people. And that is what helped me recover almost 20 yrs ago. And makes things a bit complicated right now.
 

AmberMarie

SF Supporter
#8
Thank you for opening the Café and for the great idea!

What does kindness mean to you?
Respect. Being empathetic towards others and being respectful.
Is kindness important?
yes, without it we are purely lost!
What are examples of kindness
Can be as simple as opening a door for someone with their hands full, to paying it forward. Letting someone know you are there and the willingness to truly listen. Not just talk.
Do you think being kind helps you?
i feel loads better when i am kind to others. i tend to get into a selfish mode and it absolutely destroys me both inside and out.
 

JMG

Pink Sponge Summer horse 💖🧽🌞🐴
#9
What does kindness mean to you?
Is kindness important?
What are examples of kindness
Do you think being kind helps you?
Cool cafe, thanks for opening it Angie. Sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well, hope you feel better soon. Great theme in this one, love it.

What kindness means to me is that it helps others feel less alone, cared about, valued and showing that with both words and actions. Thoughtfulness being shown, gentleness and compassion and just being good, fair, decent and accepting.

Yes, kindness is vitally important. I’d be surprised if anyone said otherwise tbh lol.

Examples of kindness are:
- Helping others, especially out of a genuine interest in caring about how they feel
- Helping and caring about those in need
- Giving someone a sincere compliment
- Saying positive/loving things about people or the world (again, sincere is always best)
- Supporting, encouraging, accepting and showing unconditional love
- Letting people know you’re there and that you care
- Listening if people need to talk
- Being sincere and tactful
- Giving gifts
- Saying and doing thoughtful things for people
There’s so many more things I know lol, but those are the ones I can think of :)

Yes, I think being kind helps me, because I know deep down that regardless of whatever the “outside world” reaction (or lackluster lack of reaction) is about whatever kindness/thoughtfulness I do my best to show/express that I can feel damn good knowing I made such a sincere, heartfelt effort. Something it has taken me a LONG time to learn is to not always give it quite so “freely”, or at least until I know whether someone will be good about showing gratitude and not just take it for granted and things like that. I have zero interest in being a doormat thanks lol.
 
#10
What does kindness mean to you?

A step above politeness and common courtesy. An act of going out of ones way to accommodate someone or something with the understanding that it might not be reciprocated. Generosity with one’s time, energy, or other resources, especially when it’s entirely voluntary.

Is kindness important?

It is important to whoever grants it and to whomever it is granted, usually. It’s an exception to the rule, thereby making it a precious commodity (in my opinion).

What are examples of kindness

Lending a helping hand so as to lessen someone’s burden. Offering hope to someone who is desperate. Generally speaking, treating your surroundings as though they are worth the personal sacrifice.

Do you think being kind helps you?

I guess.
 

Witty_Sarcasm

🦄🦜🧁Rainbow Unicorn (Deluxe Edition) ®🌈🌝💖
SF Supporter
#11
What does kindness mean to you?
Genuinely caring about someone and not just using them as a means to an end.

Is kindness important?
Yes, especially in a world where it seems less prevalent.

What are examples of kindness?
Listening, caring about what the other person has to say and how they are feeling, random acts of kindness, supporting someone and helping them to feel more positive.

Do you think being kind helps you?
I don't know but I can't imagine being rude to people or not caring.
 

KM76710

Kangaroo Manager
SF Pro
SF Supporter
#13
What does kindness mean to you?

I would call it recognizing that all folks are different and will always be and accepting that my way may not be for all and recognizing that they will have their path and to let them live it as it pleases them. If am have the means and are able to help them along when I have ideas that may be of benefit to them.

Is kindness important?

It is very important. The world is screwed up enough as it is without actively trying to make it worse just to get your way.

What are examples of kindness

One here that I see often is seeing someone that may need a positive nudge and if I can give one, or can think of one that may help them along to give the words when I have them. I know with quite a few I hear from here many admit just being noticed and acknowledged often does help them to not feel alone and on their own.

Do you think being kind helps you?

Absolutely, yes.
 

Astrid78

Spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down
#14
Sorry for the lateness, great café @Angie thanks for the tag
Kindness, to me, means giving what is needed to your best abilities without complaint or expectations of getting back.
Once I heard a sermon about loving thy neighbor. The pastor said your neighbors are those you like the least. I think kindness applies here as well. Being kind to those we like the least is when it matters the most.
Kindness is important
Examples would be holding open doors, telling the cashier to "keep the change" volunteering, and all the great examples others posted
Yes. Being kind does help.
Hope everybody has a great weekend!
 

Please Donate to Help Keep SF Running

Total amount
$10.00
Goal
$255.00
Top