‘Wee Blog on Kindfulness’

• Written by: Hilda Campbell — COPE Scotland — Chief Executive
• Published: 20th March 2019

Ahead of COPE's workshop at the Self Management Network Scotland National Networking Event, Hilda Campbell writes about 'kindfulness'.

Yep, Kindfulness its not a typo! More and more we hear of Mindfulness and that is super, learning to focus our awareness on the moment and being able to calmly recognise, acknowledge and accept our feelings and thoughts, even bodily sensations can be of great benefit to us in many ways. Kindfulness is like a combination of being kind to ourselves, others, the environment and Mindfulness. We are delighted to be offering a taster workshop at the Self Management Network Scotland’s Networking Event this April on Mindfulness.

Sadly, we do not need to look very far to see a world that often is unkind –  rarely does an episode of the news not contain images and stories of people’s suffering either as a result of a natural disaster or due to the behaviour of others. Watching nature programmes we are often overwhelmed by images of what is happening to the planet as a result of plastic waste, global warming and pollution.

More and more we hear of people experiencing mental distress, loneliness and isolation, insecurity and fears for the future. We can get angry at ourselves for not doing what we think we need to do. We can get angry at others for not doing what we think they should do. We can lose hope and fall into despair, asking ourselves and others, ‘’is it too late for anything to change?’’

When we are surrounded by pain, suffering, anger, frustration, feelings of hopelessness, it can be hard to find the energy to look for solutions, and we wonder,’’ would what I do, really make any difference?’’

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world. In fact, it is the only way it ever has.” Each of those small groups had one person who inspired them’’ Margaret Mead

One young person, Greta Thunberg lone protest outside the Swedish Parliament has rapidly become a powerful global movement to call for real change and action to tackle climate change involving thousands of young people around the world. Never underestimate the power of one.

Sometimes we don’t know where to start, here is a wee video with some ideas (this link will take you away from our website). Sometimes to change the world to be a kinder place for all it can be as simple as one action, one smile, one conversation, one decision to do things differently.

None of us can do it all alone, but if each of us do a wee bit, who knows, maybe there is hope after all. COPE Scotland (this link will take you away from our website) would like to start 5000 kinder conversations. The idea is simple, we have a wee postcard which highlights the value of a kind conversation, we are inviting 5000 people to take one and send it to someone who they know, who will keep it and value it and may be inspired to start a kind conversation of their own. At the Self Management Network Scotland National Networking Event  we will share the postcards with delegates if they would like one, to share with someone else. Sometimes we can change the world, one kind conversation at a time.

Being kind to others also reminds us to be kind to ourselves too. Read more on the COPE website about top tips for looking after yourself (this link will take you away from our website). We all matter, we all are unique and each one of us has it in us, to help build a kinder world.

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