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December 2016 ~ Colors of Kindness
- Colors of Kindness
- How colors may show up
- Consciously choosing colors
- Variety is good
- Suggestions for this month
- Resources (links, books, articles, the lighter side)
December 2016 ~ Colors
of Kindness 
Kindness comes in many sizes, shapes and colors. What have you done today to show kindness to another human being? How has someone else shown you kindness today?
Kindness can be as simple as smiling at a stranger, letting someone cross the street at the grocery store, holding the door for someone, saying "Thank you" with feeling. Kindness can be helping a stranger in need in some way. It can be simply being nice to someone whether you know them or not. Or, kindness can be a large project of raising funds or awareness about a particular issue. Or anything in between. Class projects or family projects are a great way to practice and teach kindness to children.
Kindness is a way of life, a philosophy, a way of being. Kindness is more than just something that someone does. And, kindness can be learned.
When we express kindness to others, we show our true humanity. We are all on this floating blue marble together in space, like it or not. The sooner we learn to get along, to respect each other and to treat each other with kindness, the sooner our world will be what we want it to be – a good place for us and our children.
There is an undercurrent of anger in our country right now that we haven't seen in recent years. People may be upset about their own lot in life or about what a neighbor is doing or what a public figure is doing. They may be blaming someone else for whatever is wrong in their world instead of taking responsibility for their own life. They may show their immaturity by "acting out" in inappropriate ways.
The best way to teach maturity is to practice maturity by acting with kindness, respect and consideration for all people. All the great spiritual teachers have said the same thing: be kind to each other.
How colors may show up
Some ways the colors of kindness can show up:
Pink is the color of love and gentleness and romance. We often think of babies in terms of Pink as they are soft and gentle of spirit.
Blue
is the color of the sky, the ocean and a baby’s eyes. Blue is an expansive color and also shows up as a soft, gentle color for babies.Green
is the color of plants of all shapes and sizes. Green represents nature and the natural beauty of our planet. Green is a soothing color.Yellow
is the color of the sun. Yellow feels warm, vibrant, hopeful and energetic.Orange is the color of fruits, vegetables and flowers. For many, Orange implies an adventurous spirit as in dressing up for Halloween.
Indigo
is the color of intuition and creativity. Indigo gives structure and destroys structure to create something new.Red
is the color of fire and blood. An intense color, Red is used for Valentines and to incite passion. Red is an attention-getting color also used for stop signs, fire engines and marketing emphasis.Gold is the color of majesty and luxury. We think of kings and queens with Gold crowns, Gold rings, Gold jewelry or Gold coins as luxurious.
Purple
is the color of spirituality. Giving someone something Purple implies a deep spiritual connection.Brown is the color of the earth, representing stability. Brown is all around us in every part of nature. Brown can also be used as a contrast and balance against more vibrant colors.
Black is the color of mystery and intrigue. Black is a useful accent color for more vibrant colors; it stands out against a plain background.
White
is absense of color and the color of diamonds, the hardest naturally occurring substance. White is a symbol of winter, coldness and snow.
Consciously choosing
colors
When we use colors to show our kindness, they can be imbued with special meaning and intention. Sending someone a Red valentine or Red holiday card shows our love for them.
Giving a Pink teddy bear implies warmth and gentleness.
Buying a friend or a stranger a cup of Brown coffee or hot chocolate implies stability and grounded-ness.
Giving a Green plant demonstrates the bounty of the Earth. Green is another plentiful color this time of year.
Giving something Blue can be a sign of peace and expansion. Our planet is described as being the "small Blue marble" in space. Blue can also be a symbol of fidelity and loyalty as in the Old English rhyme used for weddings "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." It is no surprise that many military or law enforcement uniforms are Blue in color, representing safety or security.
White
can represent an empty canvas to be colored by whatever the person wishes. White can be an accent to help balance and contrast other vibrant colors. White also represents cleanliness and new beginnings. Too much White is stark and boring.
Variety is good
In our Personality Game, we use colors to represent different aspects of personality types or the many variations of a personality. Everyone is composed of many different facets, many different colors, so one person’s entire personality cannot be limited to one color. Even if they may have more of one color than another, each person is a mixture of many different colors or variations.
So too is everyone else a blend of many different parts, symbolized by a variety of different colors. We can use the colors of kindness to recognize that everyone on the planet has a place here, a reason for being. Each person has a significant contribution to make to the entirety of life. Together, we are truly a rainbow of colors.
When we respect everyone — regardless of color — we are doing what we are meant to do as humans. Humans are designed to be kind to each other. We only learn to be unkind through making mistakes or through being taught to be unkind. If unkindness is something we have been taught, we can unlearn that behavior and teach ourselves to be kinder instead.
One very positive benefit for yourself should be mentioned. Kind people are much healthier than angry people and studies show that kind people live longer. Anger places extreme stress on your heart, your back, your teeth and creates extra acid in your stomach and may cause you not to think clearly, leading to accidents and injuries. So, help yourself and help others – be kind.
- Practice kindness this month by showing your own true colors in a positive way.
- Notice how you feel after being kind to others.
- Notice how you feel when someone is kind to you.
- Pay attention to the meaning of colors as you choose gifts or decorate this month.
- Notice how different colors are used all around you and how the infinite variety adds to the beauty of our world.
- Notice how you feel when you experience one color or another.
- Most of all, be kind to yourself and be kind to others.
Internet Resources
- Color Theory in Action http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html
- Soul Types: The Seven Roles in Essence http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/the-seven-roles-in-essence/
- 6 Ways Being Nice to Others Is Actually Good for You http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/10/facts-about-being-nice_n_5791778.html
- The Benefits of Kindness https://positivepsychlopedia.com/year-of-happy/the-benefits-of-kindness/
- 3 Health Benefits of Being Nice, According to Science http://www.refinery29.com/2016/09/123999/kindness-health-benefits-selfless
- The Meaning of Colors http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/meaning-of-colors.html
- Teaching Kindness at Christmas http://funinfirst.com/teaching-kindness-christmas/
- Random Act of Kindness Challenge http://bucketfullofrainbows.com/?cat=173
- Random Acts of Kindness at Mount Aloysius College http://belltower.mtaloy.edu/2016/11/random-acts-of-kindness-at-mount-aloysius-college/
- Mindful Acts of Kindness http://onelifecan.com/mindful-acts-of-kindness/
- Mindful Act of Kindness – Post Notes with Positive Messages in Random Places http://onelifecan.com/mindful-act-of-kindness-post-notes-with-positive-messages-in-random-places/
- Random Acts of Kindness Inspire! Motivation Monday #24 (June 16, 2014) http://www.thecompellededucator.com/2014/06/random-acts-of-kindness-inspire.html
- "Mr. Manners" has a New Podcast: He Wants to Use It to Make America Kind Again. http://wunc.org/post/mr-manners-has-new-podcast-he-wants-use-it-make-america-kind-again#stream/0
- The Power Path - December 2016 theme "Compassion and Kindness" https://thepowerpath.com/monthly-forecast/december-2016-monthly-forecast/
Articles (on itstime.com)
- The Personality Game www.itstime.com/game.htm
- Using the Colors of the Personality Game components https://www.itstime.com/mmath1.htm
Related newsletter articles:
June 2010 ~ Ancient Wisdom for
Modern Times
October 2016 ~ The Ripple
Effect
October 2008 ~ The Encore Effect
July 2006 ~ Giving and Receiving
Feedback
The Lighter Side
About our resource links: We do not endorse or agree with all the beliefs in these links. We do keep an open mind about different viewpoints and respect the ability of our readers to decide for themselves what is useful.
Who you are speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying. ... What you do speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you're saying [variation]
― Ralph Waldo EmersonYour beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
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