Adrian Volenik
Genuinely kind people are few and far between in a world that is hungry for them. Having one genuinely kind person is better than having a hundred inert politicians who are only in politics to stuff their wallets.
But what is it that sets apart genuinely kind people from the rest? In this article, find out precisely that!
1) Compassion
Of course, we can’t talk about genuinely kind people without mentioning compassion first. Genuinely kind people are deeply caring and have concern for the well-being of others, which drives them to offer help and support.
While others can walk by a homeless person and even turn their head to face the other direction, genuinely kind people stop and have a heartfelt conversation with them.
They ask them how they’re doing today and what they need the most at that moment.
No one expects them to be everyone’s savior, nor is that remotely possible. But when you treat others as fellow humans and not as a nuisance or worse, you’re already doing something for the betterment of society.
But genuinely kind people often also extend their compassion to animals and the environment, caring for stray animals and wildlife or being wary of their ecological footprint as the least they can do.
2) Selflessness
Truly kind people also prioritize the needs of others over their own. They’re willing to go out of their way to assist others in need.
For example, they give blood regularly or become organ donors to save the lives of strangers in need.
But they also make relatively smaller gestures that can still greatly help others. For instance, stopping to assist someone with a flat tire or offering help carrying heavy groceries without being asked.
I guarantee you that 9 people out of 10 wouldn’t do that for strangers. We’re too caught up in our own world to even notice such things, and in some cases, would speed up to not look at people in need.
3) Generosity
Being selfless typically means you need to willingly share your time, resources, and support with others, even when it involves personal sacrifices.
Generosity goes beyond simply giving material things or money. It involves a deep sense of compassion and readiness to go above and beyond to help others.
Genuinely kind people aren’t satisfied with doing the bare minimum. They proactively find ways to offer more assistance and support, often going the extra mile to make a significant impact.
For example, letting go of money owed to them by someone struggling financially. Providing a loving home and care for pets in need. Or even a forever home.
Or simply uplifting people by recognizing their achievements, offering encouragement, and sharing their knowledge.
4) Patience
Genuinely kind people remain understanding and patient, even in challenging situations.
They know that everyone isn’t perfect and that some people simply need more time to deal with problems or even everyday situations.
For example, we’ve all been the new guy or girl at work. We often had no experience in that field and were met with different kinds of co-workers.
Some were indifferent, others condescending, while genuinely kind co-workers extended their helping hand and bent over backward to aid us and make us feel welcome.
5) Listening skills
Actively listening to others is another hallmark of genuinely kind people. They offer undivided attention and create a safe space for people to share their thoughts and feelings.
Sometimes, people just need someone to hear them out or offer a shoulder to cry on. For them, this is far more beneficial than money or material things at that point.
6) Positivity
Have you ever met a kind person that was in a bad mood? I haven’t.
Being positive and having an optimistic outlook on life even when things aren’t as good as they could be is one of the best life skills you can have.
Genuinely kind people exude a positive attitude and look for the good in people and situations, spreading optimism and hope to those around them.
I know folks who are so positive they turn the mood upside down in any room they enter. Or downside up?
Whatever side it is, they have a certain magnetism that makes them very appealing. I’m not saying every genuinely kind person is like that, but I’m sure many are.
7) Humility
But one thing I do know with confidence is that truly kind people don’t look for recognition for their acts of kindness. On the contrary, they do good deeds without the need for applause or awards.
They’re kind and compassionate because that’s who they are, not because they look for credit.
That’s what sets them apart from the rest of the people and certainly from people who only do good things if they’re paid or awarded for doing them.
8) Forgiveness
Do you regularly forgive and forget? And what about turning the other cheek? Do you do that too?
If you’re anything like me, you’re known to hold a grudge or two and turn the other cheek only when you have a baseball bat behind your back.
But truly kind people are forgiving and understanding, willing to let go of past grievances and give people a chance to improve.
9) No judgment
They also refrain from making hasty judgments about others, recognizing that everyone has struggles and challenges.
For example, instead of criticizing or dismissing others’ beliefs, they respect and embrace the diversity of perspectives, cultures, and religions.
They likewise abstain from gossiping or spreading rumors about others, as they understand the serious harm it can cause.
10) Celebrating others’ success
One of the things I love the most about these people is that instead of being envious, they celebrate other people’s achievements and support them in their endeavors.
No accomplishment of others’ is too small for them to recognize and share with others.
For example, they stand by the person, providing emotional support and encouragement, not just during successes but also during challenges and setbacks.
Or they send small gifts or cards to show they’re thinking of the person and celebrating their success from afar.
11) Radical acceptance
What sets them apart is also the fact they practice radical acceptance, accepting and welcoming people as they are, embracing their uniqueness, and celebrating diversity.
This is something that isn’t happening in many social circles, and in those areas, genuinely kind people that accept everyone stick out like a sore thumb.
But that should be something we all need to do, not an exception.
12) Advocacy
Because they stand up for others, especially those that can’t defend themselves, some genuinely kind people use their compassion as a driving force to advocate for social justice and stand up against unfairness or inequality.
For instance, they support initiatives and campaigns that protect the environment, sustainable practices, or conservation efforts.
Or working to ensure that people with disabilities have access to equal opportunities, resources, and accommodations.
Whatever the reason behind their advocacy, some action is better than no action, as in some cases, staying silent when faced with injustice can be deadly.
13) Integrity and reliability
Integrity is a fundamental quality of genuinely kind people that sets them apart from others.
They’re honest and trustworthy, as they believe in the importance of maintaining their character.
When they promise to help or support someone, they follow through on their commitments.
It also means they practice what they preach and align their actions with their words to demonstrate compassion through concrete acts.
Genuinely kind people also aren’t afraid to stand up for what they believe is right, even if it means facing opposition or criticism.
14) Gratitude
I can also tell you that truly kind people appreciate the people and things in their lives, recognizing the goodness around them.
They show appreciation for small gestures, which strengthens connections with others.
I find this trait to be very important. If you’re going through life not appreciating the things and the people you cherish, you might be taking them for granted.
Unfortunately, we do this the most with our families, especially parents that were always there for us.
Final thoughts
Genuinely kind people are something else, aren’t they? We can all learn so much about life from them, especially the ones among us who only chase material wealth.
If there’s any hope for our society to prevail in these divisive times, we’ll need more genuine kindness and compassion and less rudeness, cruelty, and insensitivity.
