by Terria Fleming

I doubt if any child ever wanted to grow up to be a grouch, or thoughtless, or unkind, but it happens. Many a sweet child becomes the adult they never planned on. By consciously deciding to be a kinder, better, person and by taking some simple actions everyday, each one of us can be someone that child would be proud to be like when they grow up.
Read more: How to Be a Kinder Person

1. The Sun Always Rises
   Most people have probably heard about practicing random acts of kindness and about paying it forward, but unless you make kindness a priority, and work on being a kinder person everyday, your life will continue on in the same fashion it always has and you will have missed countless opportunities to help others, to ease someone’s troubles, or to make the world a better place. There are things you can do no matter who you are, where you live, or what your life circumstances are, to be a kinder person, so you really don’t have any excuses.
2. Smiling is powerful
   Everyday kindnesses are those little thoughtful acts that we all know we should do, but sometimes we just can’t be bothered. Maybe it seems like too much trouble to help your neighbor carry in her groceries or to stop along the freeway to help someone change a tire. The opportunity to help this person will never come again, and you are there for a reason, so go beyond your comfort zone, at least once each day and do something for someone else, just for the heck of it, with no expectations, no desire to be appreciated, and no money to be gained on your part. Another super easy kindness we can all do every single day is smile at the people we see, including our own families. Studies have shown the power of a smile to be far greater than previously thought. A genuine heartfelt smile has even saved a life or two, by giving someone who was suicidal hope and the courage to go on.
3. Helping Others
   If the thought of being kind to everyone and in every circumstance is a little overwhelming then start small. There is an organization that promotes the idea of doing one kind act per day. So, if you let someone go ahead of you in a busy line at the store for example, there’s your one kind act for the day and you’re done. One kind act a day adds up to 365 kind acts a year though, and there’s nothing small about that number.
4. Suggestions
   For some suggestions for doing some good in the world, through your daily acts of kindness, check out the web sites listed in the resources section below. There are some very interesting ways that people have figured out to be kind to someone else. For example many people have given a dollar to a homeless person, but what about the lady that carries small backpacks full of supplies for the homeless in her car everyday. The backpacks are full of things like toothpaste and toothbrushes, food that doesn’t need to be cooked, and socks. All valuable items for the homeless, and it doesn’t cost her much. She hands out the backpacks instead of money when she sees a homeless person.
5. Kind Words
   Kind words cost you nothing and many of us can really use some lessons concerning our unkind speaking habits. Practise speaking more positively to everyone you meet. Learn to speak more kindly to yourself also. That rude, judgmental, voice inside your own head is doing you a lot more harm than you realize. Turn it off and cultivate an inner voice that speaks to you in a kinder, gentler, fashion than you may be used to. You would probably be horrified if anyone else spoke to you so unkindly, so stop speaking to yourself that way.

Resources:

• Helping Others
• One Kind Act
• Dare To Be An Angel
• Extreme Kindness

Read more: How to Be a Kinder Person | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4437310_be-kinder-person.html#ixzz0yNIc9OdS