As great as it feels to get compliments, it’s equally as impactful to give them.
Offering love and kindness can, in an instant, shift your energy and support your nervous system. Many scientific journals suggest there is a strong link between compassion and the vagus nerve, which regulates the heart and controls inflammation levels in the body. One study focused on the Tibetan Buddhist "Loving Kindness Meditation." The study showed kindness and compassion reduced inflammation in the body due to the effect on the vagus nerve.
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Along with the health benefits of kindness, there are emotional benefits, too. When we offer up love and kindness to others, we center into our natural state. “A Course in Miracles” teaches that “Kindness created me kind.” This message reminds us our true nature is to be kind and loving towards all.
Unfortunately, we lose sight of our true kindness when the fear-based ways of the world set in. Therefore, the more we practice random acts of kindness, the better we feel because we are exercising our truth.
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One of the greatest ways to share love and kindness is to compliment someone. This one small thing can change your entire mood instantly! Take time out of your day to genuinely compliment someone. It doesn’t matter if you know the person or not. Just dish out the compliment sincerely. Make sure to pay attention to the way the energy shifts in the person. Witness their inner light flicker on and let it rub off you on you.
When you compliment another, you’re complimenting yourself. Kindness is a boomerang.
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Here is another technique to remember: If the holidays are making you feel more stressed than peaceful, try a fantastic Kundalini meditation that's fast, simple, and effective.
Return to peace with this easy practice:
• Gently press your thumb against your index finger, then your middle finger, then your ring finger, then your pinkie finger.
• When you touch your index finger, say: PEACE
• When you touch your middle finger, say: BEGINS
• When you touch your ring finger, say: WITH
• When you touch your pinkie finger, say: ME
Breathe deeply as you say each word. Go as slow or as fast as you'd like. Use this technique in line at the bank, under the desk in an office meeting, or in the middle of a fight with your loved one. This technique will get you through all kinds of crazy emotions and help you release resentment fast.
Gabrielle Bernstein is a meditation teacher, life coach and spiritual leader. She's one of Oprah Winfrey's "Next Generation Thought Leaders" and the author of "Miracles Now" and "Spirit Junkie."