Gentle Words: When Kindness Feels Absent

When kindness feels missing, the nervous system can become tense, guarded, and stressed. Humans are wired for connection and safety, so moments of disconnection naturally affect emotional wellbeing.

This gentle guided meditation combines mindfulness of breath with self-compassion affirmations to support nervous system regulation, emotional regulation, and inner calm.

Simple breath awareness, body grounding, and kind inner language — creating a soothing grounding practice for relaxation, emotional healing, and present-moment awareness.

Helpful for stress relief, anxiety support, self-criticism, emotional sensitivity, relationship strain, and nervous system fatigue. Suitable for beginners and experienced meditators.

Transcript

When kindness feels absent around me.

Remember,

Everyone passes through times when kindness feels absent.

We all disconnect at moments.

It's part of being human and we reconnect again in ways that matter.

This ebb and flow is the rhythm of life.

Kindness is needed by all of us and when it seems missing on the outside,

It helps to know that unkind thoughts inside are also part of the mind's habits.

They come and go.

You don't need to ask your mind for permission to be kind.

It will often give you reasons why you shouldn't.

Instead,

Kindness is something you can choose.

In thoughts,

Words,

In small actions.

Even a gentle phrase to yourself,

A caring memory,

Or a small act of compassion towards another creates ripples.

Kindness goes both ways.

When you offer it to yourself,

You restore the energy and motivation to share it with others.

This is how connection deepens.

So carry this truth with you.

You are worthy of kindness,

Always.

And each small act towards yourself or others makes the world a little softer for everyone.

When kindness feels absent around me,

I choose to offer care to myself and let this ripple outwards.

When kindness feels absent around me,

I choose to offer care to myself and let this ripple outwards.

May kindness flow through me,

Even when it feels missing outside.

May kindness flow through me,

Even when it feels missing outside.

May kindness flow through me,

Even when it feels missing outside.

Kindness begins here with me.

Reviews

Evolution of the word "kindness" suggests that it was initially viewed as the natural, proper behavior towards one’s own family or kin. 
Used as an adjective, ( a describing word) its meaning shifted from "natural" (9th century) to "native," and eventually to "of good birth" (1250) and "well-disposed, compassionate, or gentle" (around 1300). 
I find it interesting that we can almost substitute the word kind these days with compassionate and gentle.
I have found that the ripples of kindness I send out, come back to me from others. Equally if I am kind to myself, myself is kind to me.
We all need kindness and to radiate it.
Thanks Reuben
🙏

So beautiful and so true! Just what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you dear Reuben!✨❤️🙏🏻

And this time a made sure I don’t have a finger slip again on ticking the stars! 🫣😁
It must definitely be 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

That was lovely. A beautiful reminder to start my day! Thank you!

This was a hug in my heart. Thank you so much for your kindness 🤍✨⭐

Good morning! Yes this is so true Reuben! It reminds me of tge saying that charity begins at home. This was such a beautiful offering gently reminding me to be kind to myself. I could feel the ripple effects as I listened to your voice. My mind was already busy and I was being hard on myself but listening to you just now made such a difference to the way I was feeling earlier. I can see myself smiling as I write to you. You always know when I need to reach out to you. You know me so well! Thank you forever, Tanusree❤️💕