Celebrate Loving-Kindness
- Tracey L. Kelley
- Nov 13
- 2 min read
November 13th is World Kindness Day, and there are few calendar celebrations that matter more, because we all benefit from continued kindness, one way or another.
For example, my favorite journalist interviewed a psychologist and professor from Iowa State University about how "the simple act of wishing happiness for others, and really meaning it, makes people feel happier themselves."
The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley also noted that "doing good things for others improves our sense of social connection, purpose in life, and can even help us live longer and healthier lives."
Another wonderful example comes from Dr. Barbara L. Fredrickson, director the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She says “pleasant emotions open our awareness, allowing us to see more on the periphery, even if we do not intend to.” I had the opportunity years' ago to interview Fredrickson when I was managing director of Yoga Iowa magazine. She's kind of been my hero ever since! She was promoting her book, Love 2.0 at the time, and it's just fantastic. She still features a number of meditations related to the book on its website, including my favorite, the loving-kindness meditation. I'm sure you already extend many acts of kindness each day, but also consider spending 3–5 minutes silently repeating these guided phrases. First, hold yourself in good care: May I be safe.
May I be healthy.
May I be loved.
May I be at peace. Now, think of someone you care about, and direct your thoughts this way: May you be safe.
May you be healthy.
May you be loved.
May you be at peace. Next, just envision a stranger. Maybe it's someone you see on the way to work each day but don't actually know:
May you be safe.
May you be healthy.
May you be loved.
May you be at peace. Then, include someone you might have difficult relations with, and send them this blessing:
May you be safe.
May you be healthy.
May you be loved.
May you be at peace. Finally, think of all beings with compassion and care as you repeat these phrases once more:
May you be safe.
May you be healthy.
May you be loved.
May you be at peace.
There are many variations of loving-kindness meditation, but this simple version is a wonderful way to center your mind in a harmonious place.
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