To learn how to be kind and loving, first you oughta have a sense of what it is.

Admittedly, thats not always easy!

For many people, life’s challenges can make kindness a bit of an afterthought.

Frank Lipman, M.D.

We seem shorter on kindness than we were a few years ago.

So lets get started.

Be more easygoing on the road.

Frank Lipman, M.D.

Let someone cut ahead.

Give that aggressive driver a genuine smile, a wave, and let it and them go.

Connect with others, even if its just for a moment.

It can be with strangers on the street or with your coworker sitting next to you.

Smile and say thank you.

Your simple act of acknowledgement and appreciation may be the highlight of his day.

Share a laugh.

Smile like you mean it, and eventually you will.

The more you do it, the more it’ll start to feel authentic.

It also helps those on the receiving end feel better, be they a total stranger or close friend.

In other words, everybody wins.

Stop and smell the gratitude the kindness will follow.

Some have gone through enormous difficulties to arrive at that place of gratitude while others have not.

Regardless of how you get there, its almost impossible to be unkind when you are grateful and appreciative.

Be aware of your power.

We all have bad days, but be conscious of your effect on others.

An awareness ofhow your behavior impacts otherscan help keep the waters of kindness flowing in both directions.

Learn to listen.

If they ask for your opinion, by all means, give it.

But tread lightly and be diplomatic in your responses.

Use tough love sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.

Connect in person, not just over text or social media.

Be kind to yourself.

Plenty of people are kind to others but brutal to themselves, relentlessly beating themselves up over past mistakes.

Learn to show yourself kindness by forgiving yourself, learning from your mistakes, andpracticing self-love.

Right any wrongs when necessary and possible, and then move forward.

Keep your kindnesses to yourself.

Just do it, and then zip it.

Kindness isnt about showing off or telling the world what a sweetheart you are.

Just do it quietly, without fanfare.

Know your limits.

Kindness is not about martyrdom.

It doesnt mean being a doormat or allowing yourself to be taken advantage of.

Practice unconditional kindness.

Judging who is worthy or deserving of your kindness isnt really kindness at all.

Everyone is worthy of kindness and respect, even if you dont particularly like that person.

Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

Empathy and kindness go hand-in-hand, so learn to cut people a little slack.

In the words of Plato, Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

Keep this in mind to inspire your acts of kindness every day.

Experiment with letting compliments flow.

There are so many small ways we can surprise people and spread a little joy with an unexpected compliment.

Theres little reason not to so dont hold back.

If its an anti-inflammatory diet, hell do that.

Hes looking at the body as a system rather than looking at isolated things.

In addition to his practice, he is also an instructor in mbg’sFunctional Nutrition Program.