What does it mean to be a Kindness Ambassador? When people ask me about my job, they are sometimes confused when I say that it’s not really about Kindness at all, and instead it’s about loneliness and isolation.

Random Acts of Kindness are wonderful

Random Acts of Kindness are wonderful

For me Kindness is the best and most certain way to make sure we have a world and culture where everyone is there for each other, and that’s why I’m a Kindness Ambassador in my heart and soul.

You see, my core purpose in life is that I want everyone in the world to have someone that’s there for them. That’s what drives me and all I’ve ever worked towards. I used to be confused and think it had to be me that was there for everyone, and that got me into all sorts of problems with overload and near burnout. Now I know I just have to create that space or culture, and that’s where Kindness come in.

One would therefore assume as a Kindness Ambassador that I’d be a fan and promote Random Acts of Kindness as a central theme or way to build a kinder world, but on the whole I don’t.

The problem with Random Acts of Kindness is that they are usually applied externally, it’s something we do for others. There’s usually very little internal application, and that’s my issue with them. I believe that unless we address the issues around how we treat ourselves, then it’s going to be impossible to have the level of kindness we need.

The bedrock of true global kindness, starts with you being really kind to yourself. I’m not talking about being selfish, I’m talking about being kind to yourself in your actions and thoughts. If you do that, then your confidence grows, your health improves and you can be the light the world needs you to be. You’d be able to step up into a place and be the fullest version of you, in a body that’s as healthy and strong as it can be.

Imagine if your diet and exercise plan was based around, what was kind to your mind, body and soul. Just think how healthy you’d be if true Kindness was at play, and from that place how many more acts of Kindness you’d be able to perform, how much you’d be able to do in the world and what a wonderful role model you’d be.

Random Acts of Kindness are wonderful, and they make us feel better, and help other people, but I don’t think they are the 1st step to create a Kinder world.

At the Five Institute we encourage people to ask these three simple questions.

Is it Kind to me? Is it Kind to others? Is it Kind to the planet?

If you can simultaneously find the answer to those three questions, which isn’t always easy, then you’ve got a very different world. A world where we’re there for each other on a planet that’s vibrant, healthy and alive.

Nicholas Haines is a Kindness Ambassador at the Five Institute and the creator of The Vitality Test, as well as an international speaker, author, strategist, teacher in Chinese energetics and a leading light in the #NoMoreBoxes campaign. He is the author of The Art of Kind and Flowing Relationships and the co-author of The Story of Boxes. For more information about his work, visit Nick’s website www.nicholas-haines.com