In a world that’s increasingly self-centered, kind people are hard to come by.
Even then, it’s tough to tell who are the genuinely kind ones. While some are just going through the motions, there are others who have an ulterior motive.
So, how do you determine who are the genuinely kind ones?
Today we’ll explore 10 characteristics of these individuals and perhaps you can also learn how to become one of them!
1) Generosity
Genuinely kind people love to give. This goes beyond giving money or possessions, it includes their time and effort as well.
They’re generous with the things that they have because they love how it brightens the day of the other person.
Genuinely kind people put others first and it shows in their actions.
If you need a listening ear, they’ll be ready to listen. For as long as you need!
Need to borrow something at the last minute? They’ll try their best to meet your request.
When others are happy, they are too.
2) Empathy
Having empathy is a key trait among genuinely kind people.
They’re willing to get to know someone on a deeper level and are interested in what they have to share.
No matter the situation, they’re able to understand where the other person is coming from. From their thoughts and emotions, genuinely kind people can connect with others easily.
It’s no wonder that people love talking and sharing their problems with them.
Because of their ability to empathize, genuinely kind people often know the right things to say.
It may not automatically make the other person feel better, but it’ll certainly speak to whatever situation the other person is going through.
3) Patience
We live in an incredibly fast-paced world that’s only going to get faster. As a result, people have become more and more impatient.
They lose their cool easily with those who frustrate them and when they’re undergoing challenging times.
Genuinely kind people, however, know how to be patient and keep their emotions in check. Rather than lash out in irritation, they’re calm and composed.
During difficult moments in life, they know how to remain grounded.
When they meet people who aren’t easy to deal with, genuinely kind people are compassionate with their words and show this in their behaviour.
4) Trustworthiness
From my experience, genuinely kind people are also the most trustworthy people you’ll meet.
If they promise to help you with something, you’ll be sure that they will commit to doing so.
They make it a point to stay true to their word because they don’t make empty promises. They don’t want to let people down and truly want to help.
5) Forgiveness
While people are able to forgive, not many can be described as having this characteristic.
Forgiving someone takes a lot of character, humility, and the willingness to let go or look past what they did against you.
Genuinely kind people are forgiving because they not only want to give the other person another chance, they prioritize their peace over the need to hold or bear a grudge – regardless if the person apologized or not.
When we forgive, we remove the hold that the other person has over us and free ourselves of having to live with this for the rest of our lives.
6) Open-mindedness
Genuinely kind people are open-minded. They are willing to consider the perspectives of the other person. Even though the other person may hold differing views, they will hear them out and perhaps agree to disagree.
After all, each of us is different, and having different viewpoints on various issues is normal. It’s what makes things interesting!
And these individuals understand that. Which makes them very enjoyable to speak to. They won’t cut you off or shun you just because the both of you think differently.
They listen in a nonjudgemental manner and are willing to agree to disagree. To them, this isn’t personal.
7) Helpfulness
If someone’s in need, these people are the first to volunteer their time and effort.
What separates them from the rest is their willingness to put their needs above others and offer their help.
And they do this because they care. Not because they want people to be indebted to them.
They’re also the most reliable people you’ll meet. If they say they’ll be there early in the morning to drop you off at the airport for your trip, they’ll be there.
Even if it appears to inconvenience them, they’re actually more than happy to help. Knowing that they can make a difference means the world to them.
8) Honesty
If you want an honest view of situations you’re going through, these people are the right ones to ask.
They won’t sugarcoat their opinions even if it means that the truth will hurt. They believe that by being honest, this will be beneficial to you in the long run.
Of course, they will do it tactfully. But it isn’t easy to find friends who are willing to be honest and upfront with you. These are people you’d want to keep close to.
9) Humility
No one likes people who boast about their accomplishments.
And this is the last thing you’ll find a genuinely kind person doing.
Regardless of their status or achievements, they’re very down to earth and are willing to set aside their needs for others.
In fact, you may not even know about their accomplishments because they probably won’t say much about them.
10) Compassion
What really ties all the above traits together is compassion. Genuinely kind people just want to care. It’s in their nature to.
They’re filled with compassion for people they know and even those they’ve never met before. To them, everyone is deserving of a kind word or action.
It forms the foundation of their character. And this sets them apart from everyone else. They have an innate desire to help and make a difference, however big or small, in the lives of others.
It brings them joy to know that they have the power to make someone’s day with just a kind gesture.
Conclusion
Getting to know a genuinely kind person is a blessing – keep them close! They’re the kind of friends you can count on always.
Take one step further and learn from them. Maybe you can also make a difference in the lives of others.
It may be daunting, but it always starts with a single step.
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