Kindness – Just Kindness

I’m writing this the morning after the news of Charlotte Dujardin’s withdrawal from the Olympics and, like so many others, I am feeling a bit sick and extremely sad today. I am NOT going to comment on the news in any way but have decided to postpone the subject I had planned to cover today and, instead, to just put together a few words on kindness.
The dictionary definition of kindness is: The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
I think kindness has to be so much more than this definition,
Checking on the meaning of “being kind” I find the following:
To be generous, caring and thinking about other people’s feelings
Not causing harm or damage.
I have no doubt that many words will be being written on the importance of kindness towards our much loved horses but I would just like to focus on the importance of kindness to each other and all that goes along with that.
Kindness is a powerful force which brings numerous benefits to both individuals and communities. At its core, kindness fosters positive relationships and creates a supportive environment where people feel valued and understood. Acts of kindness, whether small or great, can significantly boost the well-being of both the giver and the receiver.
For individuals, practicing kindness has been shown to improve mental health. Engaging in kind acts releases endorphins and promotes a sense of happiness and satisfaction. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, enhancing overall emotional well-being. Furthermore, kindness fosters a sense of connection and belonging, countering feelings of isolation and loneliness.
In communities, kindness strengthens social bonds and builds a culture of mutual respect and cooperation. When kindness is prevalent, people are more likely to support each other, leading to a more cohesive and resilient society. It encourages a positive feedback loop, where kind acts inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of goodwill.
Kindness also promotes physical health. Studies have shown that people who engage in regular acts of kindness tend to have lower blood pressure and a stronger immune system. This is partly due to the reduction of stress and the increase in social interactions that come with being kind.
I believe that we all have a responsibility to grow in our sharing of kindness and, at the present time, this is incredibly important in the equestrian world. We are all under an intense public spotlight and it is therefore all the more important to begin with ourselves and allow the kindness that we, as individuals, show towards others (and OF COURSE towards our horses) to develop that ripple effect and spread throughout our own circles and then far beyond.