Roselle Umlas
In today’s rushed and chaotic world, kindness is a trait that seems to be increasingly rare. But there are some people who still radiate kindness no matter what they do.
For these people, kindness is so innate that it seeps into their daily lives without them even noticing it.
Are you wondering if you’re that kind of person? Well, it’s no big mystery. You already do things that should tell you you are!
But you might not know what they are because they’re so instinctive to you, and therefore, subconscious.
So, to help you out, here’s a list of twelve things you might not realize you’re doing because you’re a naturally kind person. Let’s dive in!
1) You listen with full attention
I’ll start with something naturally kind people do exceptionally well – active listening.
Many of us listen with the intent to speak. Sometimes we don’t even absorb what the other person’s saying!
I’ve been on the receiving end of inattentive listening, and let me tell you, it never feels good. I always know when someone is doing some half-assed listening instead of really hearing me.
But with naturally kind people, I always come away feeling heard.
If you’re a naturally kind person, you have this switch that turns you on and makes you give other people your full attention when they speak. People always feel satisfied and comforted whenever they talk to you.
2) You remember little details
This is another effect of your huge capacity for paying attention. You have a talent for remembering the little things about people, from their favorite food to their pet’s name.
You’re genuinely interested; you’re not just faking it.
So, it’s no wonder that people feel delighted around you. It’s always flattering when someone remembers the tiniest details about us, doesn’t it?
3) You notice what others need
Are you quick to jump to your feet when you see a colleague with a heavy load? Or to pick up something that a stranger dropped? That’s your kindness autopilot switching on again.
You have sharp observational skills that allow you to recognize when people need help. What’s more, you can even notice even when the need for help isn’t quite obvious.
As a naturally kind person, you have this unique intuitive knack for sensing when someone might be struggling.
You notice little things like their body language, tone of voice, or expressions that point to how they’re really feeling. This instinct goes a long way in making people feel seen and cared for.
4) You defuse tense situations
Those observational skills also give you another superpower – you can immediately “read” a room.
You can tell if there’s tension and discomfort in the atmosphere, and you find ways to ease the situation. Here are some of the ways you do that:
- Use humor to lighten the mood
- Change the subject to veer away from the issue at hand
- Encourage compromise and collaboration
- Offer support
Basically, you know how to instill a spirit of peace and harmony wherever you go!
5) You spread positivity
Speaking of peace and harmony brings me to this point…you’re all about positive vibes!
That’s not surprising because kind people are naturally inclined to look at the bright side of things and to see the good in people.
Your positive energy is infectious, and you have a natural ability to lift the spirits of those around you.
6) You try to include everyone
Your openness and positivity also help you break down barriers and make everyone feel included.
You just have that inherent understanding that everyone should feel welcome and valued, regardless of gender, race, age, cultural differences, and all that.
So you’re really mindful of group dynamics. When you see someone looking left out or uncomfortable, you go out of your way to put them at ease.
That’s why, you might not even know it, but you make people feel safe. You’re truly a rare gem in this harsh world!
7) You can imagine what other people are going through
How exactly do you make people safe? Well, you’ve got the proverbial “heart of gold” – that big heart that allows you to put yourself in another person’s shoes.
When someone comes to you with their problems, you instinctively understand what they’re going through.
And even when you don’t really know what’s going on, this thought always lurks in the back of your mind – you never know what other people are going through.
So even when someone disappoints or hurts you, you’re even able to give them the benefit of the doubt.
8) You give others the benefit of the doubt
Here’s the thing: there’s too much judgment going on in the world. Really.
You see it everywhere – on social media, in our day-to-day interactions…people are just too quick to judge!
That’s rather unkind, isn’t it?
But for naturally kind people like you, the opposite is your autopilot. Instead of making assumptions, your first instinct is to think the best of others.
This instinct is rooted in your great capacity for empathy and a desire to keep your relationships smooth and harmonious.
Here’s an example of how your thought process goes:
- Your friend canceled plans with you: “Something must have happened. She could be sick or dealing with personal issues.”
- You hear gossip about a co-worker: “I’m not sure that’s true. I’d rather not say anything or get his side of the story.”
Does that sound naive? Probably.
But hey, it’s always better to be kind and proven wrong than mean and proven wrong!
9) You give sincere compliments easily
Ah, this one’s an easy giveaway. I can tell right away that someone’s naturally kind if they think nothing of giving compliments.
I’ve had strangers come up to me and say, “I love your shoes!” or “That’s a great outfit!”
That never fails to brighten my day!
I guess naturally kind people are just so full of positivity that it can’t help but overflow. That’s why it’s easy for them to notice the good stuff and be upfront about it.
That’s something we need more of in this world, don’t you think?
10) You share knowledge and resources
How do you react when someone asks you for tips? Do you automatically put up a wall and deflect, or do you share what you know wholeheartedly?
If it’s the latter, you’re a naturally kind person! You’ve got a generous heart that believes there’s enough for everyone. That’s a sign of your abundant mindset.
You want other people to succeed, and you don’t see them as competition. So you find it easy to share information and resources and even your trade secrets!
11) You have a “pay it forward” mentality
Aside from having an abundant mentality, you also have a “pay it forward” mentality. You believe in the power of positive actions to create a ripple effect of kindness, generosity, and goodwill.
So, you’re really into random acts of kindness, whether it’s helping a stranger carry their groceries, paying for someone’s coffee, or leaving a kind note for a tired restaurant server.
Social responsibility also comes naturally to you. You have a high degree of awareness of the needs of everyone, not just those close to you, but the world at large.
That sense of responsibility drives you to always contribute in some way to make the lives of other people better.
And the difference is, this is all instinctive for you, not intentional like it is for other people. You do these things without even being mindful about it – you just go ahead and act on instinct!
12) You handle criticism with grace
Lastly, the way you deal with criticism highlights your natural kindness.
Think about it – it’s not easy to take unpleasant feedback gracefully. I speak for a lot of people when I say that the natural instinct would be to snap back or get defensive or feel hurt.
But for naturally kind people, criticism is nothing to get upset about. The way you see it, it’s a stepping stone – one you should take if you want to grow as a person and get better at what you do.
And once again, that innate desire for peace and harmony runs through your veins, so you are able to handle criticism in a calm and mature way.
Final thoughts
These subtle things you do might look like nothing to you; after all, you’re just being you.
But trust me, you don’t know how big an impact you’re making. You’re a catalyst of that ripple effect of kindness that spreads out way beyond your circle.
So keep doing what you do. Keep being the big-hearted and good person you are. You never know who’s watching and learning from you!
