I came across this quote on Twitter the other day.
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love~LaoTzu
It made me think in a different way about confidence and writing. About how much kindness is an essential part of the mix.
Kindness in words creates confidence in others.
Kindness in words creates confidence in your self.
Writing with kindness is not hard. There’s no critic that stands in our way. Writing with kindness just means holding kindness in our hearts, and writing with the intention to share it.
Simple, isn’t it?
Kindness in words creates confidence.








{ 3 trackbacks }
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
You are right Joanna. It is a simple concept, but a really good one.
Cathy´s last blog ..Bottle tops
Hi Joanna, Everyday life certainly bears out what you and LaoTzu observe. A simple “thank you” or even a smile can brighten a person’s outlook on the day, or even more. And consider the opposite effect. How often does a snarl or a rebuke turn our whole day from sunshine into gloom?
Brad Shorr´s last blog ..4 Blog Typography Tips that Enhance SEO
Joanna, as I read this I reflected on words that have moved me and realized that so often the kindness is evident. The writer gifts the reader with words not borne of anger or rebuke but from a kind heart. Even difficult subjects take on a different tone when the writer approaches them from a heart of kindness. It is one of the things I appreciate so much about your writing Joanna, it always come from a place of co-learning, sharing, gratitude, careful reflection and kindness.
Karen Swim´s last blog ..140 Characters from Darkness to Light
Oh yes. Kindness. You radiate that, you know, in every word you write, Joanna. And warmth, too.
We all know of ‘confident’ folk who are actually not at all, those who are sharp-tongued, those we tiptoe around. Maybe they’ve lacked kindness in their lives. It’s harder to be kind to them, but it pays the greatest dividends.
Jan Scott Nelson´s last blog ..Pen and paper – my superheroes
Can I offer my one line of wisdom?
What doesn’t kill you….gives you a heck of a lot of grey hairs.
Thank you. Kids have that tendency to gift you with such opportunities to create brilliant quotes like that.
And for kindness….
Kindness in writing is free….yet priceless in value.
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..Superb Customer Service – A Lesson From Sears Repair Customer Care
Kindness is such a nice word and showing understanding and compassion just feels good, at both ends of the transaction. And so with writing kind words.
“When you are good to others, you are best to yourself.” – Benjamin Franklin
Grampa Ken rants and raves at Social Fix´s last blog ..Viewing Life and Society at 75
@ Cathy – glad you liked it
@ Brad, I know… much underrated value – makes so much of a difference, as does a smile. I love smiling at old people when I walk… sometimes it feels like you’re transforming their day
@ Karen, as ever your comment and feedback has me glowing with pleasure. Thank you. I think you model the same in your words.
@ Jan, doing my best not to blush. Thank you. You’re right about the need for patience and kindness with those whose tongues are sharp… hard sometimes though
@ Barbara, priceless in value, indeed. I do love your one-liners
@ Ken, it is a good transaction isn’t it? Well captured by the Franklin quote. Thanks for stopping by
Thanks for sharing this. I think a fundamental problem in the advice many people give to write “confidently” is that confidence is easily confused with arrogance. Kindness is a way to soften that, and still maintain conviction.
Eric thanks for stopping by. I agree with you – it’s a frame of mind that infuses the way we write. For me that conviction needs to be tempered with kindness and humility… which actually makes what you say stronger, not the other way round
One Line on Writing and Confidence http://bit.ly/2QHAyj
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Uplifting insight on the gentle power of words, from @joannayoung http://ow.ly/yQdN
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Good Morning! RT @bradshorr Uplifting insight on the gentle power of words, from @joannayoung http://ow.ly/yQdN
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
“Kindness in words creates confidence in yourself.” From @joannayoung: http://bit.ly/4beDu
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love~LaoTzu http://bit.ly/4rzENo
This comment was originally posted on Twitter