Were you blessed with people in your life who believed in you and your dreams? If the answer is yes, I would suggest to never skip an occasion to express your hashtag#gratitude for their support.

In a world that often seems inundated with skepticism and doubt, the value of having individuals in our lives who genuinely hashtag#believe in our dreams cannot be overstated.

Let's delve into the profound impact of these believers on our journey towards realizing our aspirations. From providing unwavering support during challenging times to fueling our persistence with their hashtag#unshakeable faith, we will explore the multifaceted roles such supporters play in our lives.

Albert Schweitzer stated it so beautifully: "At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

Whether they are hashtag#mentors, family members, or friends, their belief in our potential is a powerful catalyst for achievement. By understanding and appreciating these crucial reasons, we can better recognize and cherish the irreplaceable contribution of our biggest advocates, fostering an environment where dreams aren't just fleeting desires, but achievable realities.

Read the full article of my latest newsletter Positivity & Kindness Insights to explore eight key reasons why we should appreciate the people who believe in our dreams.

One of the reasons kindness is often perceived as weakness is that kindness is confused with pleasing. And nothing could be further from the truth: kindness is not about people pleasing at all.

People pleasing is operating from a place of weakness.

You give your power and authenticity away to chase approval from someone else. Desperately looking for outside approval, being overly dependent on the appreciation of someone else, is a sign that you think that without that approval or appreciation, you are not worthy.

Kindness is very different. Kindness is a choice, kindness comes from a powerful place within you.

When you can be kind to a rude person, it is because you know that the rudeness of the other person has nothing to do with you.

It requires self-discipline and a very strong sense of self-confidence and self-esteem to stay kind to a rude person, to stay outside the negativity of the unkind one, and to not be triggered by it.

A kind person is a person who has dealt with his inner demons, insecurities, and old wounds, who has done a lot of personal work, and who has come to a great self-understanding, deep compassion, and wisdom.

A kind person doesn't need any approval or appreciation for his/her act of kindness and does it because he so much understands the human condition, and knows the power of kind words, a kind gesture.

So stop people pleasing, and stop chasing outside approval (there is nothing wrong with feeling grateful for appreciation and support as long as you do not become dependent on it and start changing your behavior to get more approval and appreciation).

Live from a place where you know at your core that you are a loving, kind, and worthy being and share that with the world.

Your kindness, your strong sense of self-worth, dignity, and grace will spill over to those around you; you become an inspiration and role model for others. And those role models of powerful kindness are so much needed in the world today.

May you be guided by kindness in all you say and do.

The belief you hold about yourself shapes every experience.

Never underestimate the #power of your thoughts, what you think about yourself you become. Therefore only hold the highest possible #vision of yourself.

If you think of yourself as an inferior person, an unworthy person, because you had some experiences in the past; your mind will look for circumstances to confirm that belief. Let's say, someone gives you a bad comment and tells you that you're not good at your job. When you think that you're unworthy, your mind will blow up that comment from someone to confirm your unworthiness.

When, however, you are self-confident, knowing at a profound level that you're a lovable and worthy person, you will take a bad comment much lighter, investigate if there is any truth and value in that comment for you, and let it go easily. You will also keep in mind that what someone else tells about you is a reflection of them and not of you.

Your #belief about yourself creates your reality eventually and is the filter through which you look at every occurrence in life.

Remind yourself often of your filter, whether the filter is colored by inferiority or superiority. If we are no longer bothered by those beliefs, we can just take life as an adventure filled with opportunities for expansion and growth and we are no longer seeking validation outside ourselves.

So always hold the highest possible vision of yourself, and know that you are loved, worthy, and enough. That realization will make you so much more powerful and your thoughts and behavior will no longer be controlled by what other people say.

Wishing you a day where you remind yourself of your innate #worthiness!

Much love, Barbara

#barbaravercruysse

In the dynamic landscape of modern businesses, leadership qualities like decisiveness and hashtag#charisma often take the spotlight. humility and kindness often seem like rare gems in those environments.

Yet, it is precisely these traits that can set exceptional leaders apart, creating a lasting impact on their teams and organizations.

In this article, we explore how the seemingly soft skills of humility and kindness have a profound influence on leadership effectiveness. By embracing these virtues, leaders can build trust, foster hashtag#inclusivity, and cultivate a positive hashtag#organizationalculture that thrives on compassion and collaboration.

Read the full article to discover the eight major reasons to show humility and kindness as a leader.

As a caring person, we want to make sure to refresh our empathy towards others, even though some people may not appreciate our conscious efforts.

Therefore it is very important to make sure that our batteries are always charged first before we dedicate our energy and time to the wellbeing of others.

A crucial step to not getting mentally exhausted is setting boundaries for people who sap our positive energy.

Here are six ways of setting boundaries that will empower you:

1. Know your boundaries

Many people get hurt because they are not aware of their boundaries. They are unsure where they start and end. Raise your awareness when you feel that someone is crossing a line that is no longer comfortable for you. In recognizing those moments, the next step is to speak up to the ones that step over your boundaries. It might feel uneasy in the beginning because of the confrontational moment, but once you get used to indicating your boundaries, you will see that others start to respect them. It will save you a lot of worry and heartbreak.

2. Be mindful of the people in your circle

Surround yourself with individuals who value you and are drawn to your positive energy. For effective boundary setting, keeping your distance from people who are always bent on quenching your thirst for success is important. At moments in my life, I lost, what I considered, good friends because they had difficulties with my growth and kept dissuading me from my plans to bring a message of powerful kindness to the world. They could not see how, as an unknown individual in Belgium, I could achieve that. I realized they were only projecting their fears onto me. Ever since I have become very conscious of the people I surround myself with and make sure they are supportive and push me to aim higher.

3. Decrease how often you are available to those who don't value you

Some people, in their quest to help others, are not aware that they do not value their own time and energy enough, especially when the people they are trying to help do not appreciate and value their efforts. You can still be a good person and say no to people who are demanding, dominating, and controlling. No one individual has the right to burden you with their negativity over and over again.

Read the full article of my latest newsletter Positivity and Kindness Insights to find out all the ways we can send healthy boundaries as a form of self-kindness.

When we look up to inspirational leaders, they embody qualities that seem like they have been born with and we are not. Sometimes it might seem like we will never embody the confident, calm, and mature leader we aim to be.

Embodying leadership, confidence, calm, peace, and grace can be a daunting task, especially when we feel inadequate when we keep insisting on negative self-talk, and keep comparing our journey with others.

It's important to remember that feelings of insecurity and inadequacy come from our ego. When we compare ourselves to an ideal version of ourselves or someone we admire, it can create an outside measurement that is not natural and can lead to feelings of insecurity.

Instead of letting these feelings of inadequacy take over, it is more helpful to focus our attention on our strengths, appreciating our unique qualities, and striving to be the best version of ourselves.

We grow into leadership by holding a clear vision, having high and pure standards, being aware of the values that we want to run our lives on, consistently learning and improving, and using every experience as an opportunity for growth.

Read the full article in my latest newsletter Positivity & Kindness Insights.

According to the Roman philosopher Cicero, gratitude is not only the greatest virtue but also the parent of all other virtues.

Walking the Path of Powerful Kindness includes walking with an attitude of reverence and gratitude for life.

Gratitude can be expressed in various forms. It does not cost much to show gratitude. This includes appreciating little things, devoting your time, smiling as much as you can, offering sincere compliments, and so on. Statements like “I couldn’t have made it without you” or “thank you for everything you have done for me” alone are enough for a person to feel appreciated.

Positive psychology holds that feeling thankful increases happiness and fulfilment.

Read the FIVE IMPORTANT REASONS TO SHOW GRATITUDE in my latest newsletter Positivity & Kindness Insights.

Why there is no such thing as being too kind...

Have you ever been told you're "too kind" for this world? Or perhaps, you've adopted the mask of toughness, thinking it's the only way to conceal your vulnerabilities.

No matter where you are, here's a secret...

There's no such thing as being "too kind." The key lies in setting boundaries, stopping people-pleasing habits, and gracefully distancing yourself from negativity.

My philosophy about kindness acknowledges the necessity of setting boundaries— recognizing that while kindness knows no bounds, healthy relationships require discernment.

It advocates for a balance between unwavering kindness and self-preservation. The narrative also addresses the pitfalls of people-pleasing, urging individuals to distinguish genuine kindness from actions fueled by external validation.

The concept of graceful distancing from negativity underscores the understanding that kindness coexists with the power to choose environments and relationships that nurture personal growth.

Read the full article in the latest edition of my weekly newsletter Positivity & Kindness Insights.

hashtag#PowerfulKindness hashtag#kindnessrevolution hashtag#barbaravercruysse

When we look at the current state of the world, we might get overwhelmed by the darkness, discouraged by the massive healing the world needs, and think that our efforts will never suffice to bring about positive changes.

However, each one of us can be that changemaker.

Each one of us has the power to change the course of direction of humanity. Each one of us can voice his choice for a more compassionate and kinder world where life is revered and sacred. Where life is no longer exploited to quench the insatiable thirst of greed, the unappeasable hunger for power.

Read the full article here!

To walk the Path of Powerful Kindness it is important to understand where our starting point is.

How did we end up in a place where Kindness is perceived as Weakness? For ages, we have believed that success in this world is only possible when we become tough, merciless, and without compassion for those around us. We would accept and even applaud the greed and brutality of our leaders in all fields throughout society.

This paradigm, which is extremely harmful to us and to the planet, has become outdated if we want to evolve into a mature and balanced humanity. It must be eradicated simply for a better future for our species.

Applauding and encouraging arrogant behavior has always startled me. What is so noble about walking ruthlessly over others, cheating to be the so-called best?

Read the full article based on an excerpt from my book 'The Path of Powerful Kindness' in my weekly newsletter Positivity and Kindness Insights.

In our lives, there are moments when we find ourselves dealing with a multitude of challenges simultaneously. If we don't effectively manage these overwhelming feelings, anxiety can take hold.

Juggling the stress of relationships, traumatic experiences, financial difficulties, parenting, and caregiving for elderly parents can make it incredibly difficult to move forward in life. It's important to acknowledge that feeling overwhelmed is natural, but knowing how to handle it is crucial. Excessive overwhelm can lead to depression and other psychological issues.

Here are five strategies to maintain resilience in the face of a hectic life.

What could be more uplifting than watching children treat people with kindness, regardless of their age, gender, or race?

Kindness is a value to be included in the upbringing of children. As a parent and an adult who cares for children, we must pay attention to their emotional and psychosocial well-being.

Children are healthier and more cheerful when kindness is promoted among them.

Here are Six Ways of Encouraging Acts of Kindness Among Children:

In today's fast-paced work environment, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and climbing up the corporate ladder. However, in the pursuit of success, it is crucial not to lose sight of the importance of kindness and compassion in the workplace.

“The quality of our lives depends not on whether or not we have conflicts, but on how we respond to them.” – Thomas Crum

Conflict is an inevitable part of our daily lives that can impact our personal growth and mental well-being. Whether it is internal or external, conflicts can be stressful events. As a manager, mentor, and coach, I have worked with people worldwide who are struggling with conflicts. Based on my experiences, I strongly believe that exhibiting kindness and compassion is one of the most powerful ways to respond to conflicts.

Find out the seven ways to manage conflicts better with kindness and compassion.

What do deeply fulfilled people have in common?

They feel good in their own skin, they have accepted themselves completely with their gifts and their flaws. They do NOT let depend their sense of self-worth on what other people say.

That makes them powerful since they do not give the power over their sense of wellbeing to others, they do not let their sense of self-worth be determined by others.

“When I decided to step up almost a decade back as a voice of compassion and kindness, there was a huge fear of being judged and ridiculed. But the passion for bringing the message was stronger than the fear”

Fear can be paralyzing and can leave us feeling unable to move forward. It is often rooted in fear of failure or fear of success. When we give in to our fears, we can become overwhelmed with doubt and insecurity. We begin to think that our potential is limited and that we are unable to achieve our goals.

We all like to be nice. It makes us feel good to help others, to be kind and to put a smile on someone’s face. But being too nice, especially in the workplace, can be harmful. It can perpetuate a toxic workplace culture, and it can be a sign that your boundaries are not being respected.

It’s important to remember that being kind and considerate to others is one thing, but enabling bad behaviour is another.

In all that we strive for, whether it is success in our professional or personal life, let's first make sure that each encounter is about approaching the other as a fellow human being first.

Let's never forget our humanness and let us never sacrifice that for so called success. We are never a success when we lose our human values along the way. A true leader is always an amazing and caring human being first.

Every year comes with its benefits and drawbacks. Has it become a habit to fail achieve your set goals each year? If yes, have you ever thought about why you are not achieving your anticipated progress?

This is because we frequently keep making the same mistakes. After all, we pay little attention to crucial details which have the power to either make or unmake us.

Which are the most valuable lessons we can learn from this past year? Here are some insights I gained during the past year:

We start fully living our purpose when we transcend our small persona with its neurotic needs.