The Power of Kindness, Given With Tenderness: Doing good is good, yet the "HOW" Can Make a Big Difference!

In a world that often feels divided and disconnected, it's easy to underestimate the power of kindness, and even more so the power of tenderness. We may think that our small acts of kindness won't make a difference, but the truth is, they can have a profound impact on both individuals and entire communities, which by extension means our world as the ripple effects resound. And that impact is intensified when we pump up the volume by intentionally doing these acts of kindness with tenderness. That's the essence of the Ternura Project and Casa Ternura's mission to inspire and unite people of good to work together to build a culture of more intentional caring and tenderness all around us and beyond. The message contained in kindness and tenderness knows no boundaries, transcending age, ethnicity, cultures and beyond. It is a universal language that can bring people together creating a hope-giving, uplifting, sometimes healing sense of belonging that is spoken beautifully every time we reach out and help one another with love in its most basic definition from Thomas Aquinas: "To desire, to will, the good of another." Tenderness emanates from that deep and sincere desire to see the other well, joyful, blessed because we sincerely want their best.

Therefore, tenderness goes beyond service and perhaps even beyond courteous kindness or civility that mutual respect calls for. It is that sweet spot where kindness, understanding and compassion fuse in such a way that out of what we do shines forth a powerful message: "YOU are a big deal! YOU matter!"

The powerfully uplifting and affirming, sometimes even healing and freeing message contained each act of tenderness ennobles the giver while also doubling as a reminder that they too a big deal, they matter too, making each 'tenderness encounter' an amazing two way EXCHANGE.

Imagine a world where more often than not each of us and the people who are important to us were to consistently be treated with not just basic respect and common courtesy we all deserve, but with great tenderness!  

STEP BY STEP

So how can we enter in? How can we bring the power of kindness into our daily lives? And how can we power up that kindness by more intentionally extending each kind gesture with deep tenderness that's truly felt? Here's just few ideas. Do please share yours with us through our social media and contact links on top of this page! 1. SMILE! A simple smile can brighten someone's day and create a ripple effect of positivity. You never know how much someone may be in need of your smile. And whenever that smile is coming from deep within by our being present in each of those moments, consciously and joyfully aware that we are being messengers joy and goodness to the person we are encountering, we've just added tenderness into the mix. 2. Offer a helping hand: Whether it's helping someone carry their groceries, holding the door open, or offering assistance to someone in need, small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life. Tenderness inspires us to add such joy and enthusiasm into each act that the recipient clearly sees we did this because we truly wanted to do this and doing this for them actually makes. us happy 3. Listen with the ear of the heart: Take the time to truly listen to others with genuine interest and empathy, without judgment or interruption. Sometimes, all someone needs is a compassionate ear to share their thoughts and feelings in the confidence that they are being listened to, that someone cares. This empathy is both kind and tender. To power with more tenderness (when appropriate), ask "what can I do to support you", or even offer to pray with the person as a way to close the exchange in a hope-giving note that clearly lets them know they are not alone, that you are in their corner. 4. Send a handwritten note: In this digital age, receiving a handwritten note can be a special and meaningful gesture. Let's not allow this to become a rarity. Let us rediscover this beautiful way to exchange love, kindness, appreciation. Take the time to write a heartfelt message to someone you care about, expressing your appreciation and love. The extra time and effort that's entailed especially these days, constitutes an act of special tenderness, that touches the heart of both recipient and giver. 5. Practice gratitude: Cultivate a mindset of gratitude by acknowledging and appreciating the kindness that others show you, or simply whatever you see that is true, good and beautiful in them. Express that gratitude through words or reciprocal acts of kindness. Celebrate them and not just what they do but who they are. Doing this with genuine enthusiasm and joy will add a note of greater tenderness to the mix, especially when you acknowledge and celebrate them in public. The Wave of Gratitude Appreciation Exercise is one of many ways to do this 6. Volunteer your time to serve others in need: Find a cause or organization that resonates with you and offer your time and skills. Volunteering not only helps others but also brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose to your own life. And when you power up with tenderness by serving with extra joy and caring, that service becomes doubly powerful. 7. Be kind to yourself: Remember that we can't give what we don't ourselves possess. Our outside actions are often a reflection of what is within. Do you practice self-care, do you get rest, eat well, make time for the people and things that matter in good balance? What is your self-talk like? It is vitally important that you treat yourself with the same kindness and tenderness that you extend to others. Small acts of kindness may seem insignificant to the naked eye, but beyond the surface they have the great power to create a kinder and more compassionate world. Just like the hands in the image, let us reach out and help one another, regardless of our differences. Together, we can make a big difference through the power of kindness, extended with sweet tenderness.