Clifton Kopp
They say that 70 percent of our communication is through body language and non-verbal cues but let’s not kid ourselves: Words are still amazingly powerful, regardless if they’re said in person, on the phone, or through writing.
Heck, there’s a whole love language called verbal affirmations.
In a similar vein, if a person wants to convey kindness and grace, then they can make remarkable strides through their choice of words alone
In this article, I’ll go through some of the phrases a genuinely kind person tends to use.
Ready to cultivate goodwill?
Let’s get to it!
1) “How can I help?”
We live in a world where we often have to fend for ourselves–a thought that can feel a little overwhelming at times, particularly when we already have a lot on our plate.
So when someone offers a helping hand by gently inquiring “How can I help?” it’s psychologically comforting to hear.
Even if we don’t actually turn to that friend, simply having an awareness that there is someone out there to fall back on emotionally, goes a long way.
2) “I’m here for you.”
Life is hard.
The genuinely kind person might also offer their support in the form of “I’m here for you” even when they aren’t obligated to do so.
As touched on, to know that we don’t have to deal with the trials and tribulations of life all on our lonesome is incredibly reassuring.
3) “Take your time.”
We live in a fast-paced world where deadlines are strict and results are expected.
This creates a sense of pressure, restlessness, and anxiety in us, which ironically can affect the quality of whatever we’re producing.
By telling someone to “take your time”, kind people are communicating an understanding and patient nature.
Simultaneously, they’re taking a load off others, allowing them to move at their own pace.
4) “I’m proud of you.”
When you express being “proud” of someone else, this is pretty powerful.
Firstly, you’re letting them know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed, which is encouraging.
Second, you’re conveying an implicit closeness or intimacy.
After all, you generally can’t be truly proud of a stranger; ‘proud’ is a word typically reserved for people we care about.
Aside from being a writer, I’m also in the food industry.
In 2014, I opened my first restaurant, a Southeast Asian-inspired fast-casual joint.
On our first day, my father looked around looking marginally impressed but still mostly stoic.
I wasn’t disappointed because that was just his nature.
I was raised in quite an emotionally cold environment. My dad, for instance, never hugged us or showed affection, physical, verbal, or otherwise, growing up.
Later that evening, when I was at home resting after a successful opening, I received a text from my old man: “Congrats on the opening, I’m incredibly proud of you.”
I was moved by the unexpected words.
Getting a parent’s approval is one thing, but for my dad to make the effort to overcome his aloof nature and express some emotion meant the world to me at that moment–regardless if it was through text or not.
5) “I understand.”
Sometimes in life, we feel alone and misunderstood.
Society has a way of defining us by the perceived image we project without really bothering to look beyond the surface.
When someone tells you “I understand”, this is a simple but powerful phrase, indicating a rare willingness to step into our shoes and try to understand perspective and feelings.
It’s empathy in a nutshell–the type of sentiment that gives people a glimmer of hope.
The world would be a far more harmonious place if making the effort to understand one another was standard practice–as opposed to the current status quo of resorting to canceling or violence without first seeking empathy.
6) “No worries at all.”
It’s amazing how a couple of words can transform an existing phrase.
Think about it: When we say “no worries,” it’s almost meaningless these days; it’s just one of those empty phrases we blurt out as a reflex like “cool” or “awesome.”
However, when you add “at all” to it, you’re reestablishing a great deal of meaning.
You’re also easing someone’s concerns and apologies, indicating that their blunder is an excusable, understandable mistake, not an unforgivable one.
7) “You did a great job.”
I won’t lie, getting credit for efforts or contributions is as good a feeling as one can get.
As a writer, working for a paycheck is important but to get positive feedback, knowing that my efforts moved someone in some way or another is absolutely priceless.
Being recognized and validated for your abilities never gets old; it’s an instant morale boost.
You’d be surprised how a few kind words can make a person’s day. Perhaps even their week or month.
8) “I appreciate you.”
Like “no worries,” “thank you” is such a common (and misused) phrase that people sometimes overlook the sentiment behind it.
The kind person is often aware of these subtle distinctions and thus changes things up by dropping an occasional “I appreciate you!” when expressing gratitude.
By opting for this alternative, you’ll catch people off guard in the best possible way.
I was waiting at the luggage carousel the other day at La Guardia airport.
The middle-aged man beside me visibly struggled to lift his sizeable bag off the conveyor belt, so without hesitation, I jumped in and helped.
He looked at me directly in the eyes after and offered a sincere “I appreciate you.”
I wasn’t motivated by validation at that very moment, but I’d be lying if I told you getting it wasn’t a nice feeling.
9) “Take care of yourself.”
“Take care” is passive.
“Take care of yourself” is personal. It indicates a genuine concern for someone else’s well-being.
And with “well-being” being an all-encompassing, blanket word that can refer to things from health to safety to happiness, “take care of yourself” covers a lot of ground.
When used sincerely, perhaps coupled with a hug and lingering eye contact, “take care of yourself” can be extremely meaningful.
Final words
As you may have gathered by now, there’s weight behind our words.
The genuinely kind person tends to want to uplift others and create an environment brimming with support, positivity, and empathy.
Hence, they’re mindful of the words and phrases they choose to impart.
They don’t mindlessly blabber to fill silences.
So if achieving kindness is your goal, affecting others through your day-to-day speech is a great way to kick things off.
Keep ‘em coming, genuinely kind people!
