Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Reaction vs. Response

How can we deal in a more mindful way with our triggers? How can we become aware that many times we operate from impulse, from a programmed reaction?

Let's say your manager gives you an unjustified comment on your work, or your spouse/husband starts criticising your spending patterns and you get very upset; you start defending yourself in both situations and add some harsh words to stress your anger.

There is a more mature, peaceful and less dramatic way to deal with this kind of situations which will not only make your daily life more harmonious but also take away the fear of being criticised or rejected.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Gratitude: A Thriving Force for Fulfillment in Life

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 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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Kindness or People Pleasing?

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

You Can Never Outperform the Image You Hold about Yourself

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

The Power of Humility and Kindness in Leadership

In the dynamic landscape of modern businesses, leadership qualities like decisiveness and 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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Setting Boundaries as a Form of Self-Kindness

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.

Read the article to find out six ways of setting boundaries that will empower you.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Embodying Leadership

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Gratitude: A Key Secret to Fulfillment

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

My Life Philosophy on How to Lead with Kindness

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

You Possess the Power to Bring about Change

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!

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Reverence for Life

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

How to Overcome Overwhelm and Navigate a Hectic Life with Ease

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Encouraging the Spirit of Kindness Among Children

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:

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Why Kindness and Compassion are Crucial in a Work Environment

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

How To Manage Conflict Better With Kindness And Compassion

“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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Don't Let Your Self-Worth Be Determined By Others

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

What Does Your Fear Cost You?

“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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Being too nice is harmful and can perpetuate a toxic workplace culture.

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

A Return to Humanness

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.

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Barbara Vercruysse Barbara Vercruysse

Create Positive Results Consciously in the New Year

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.

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