Kindness Amplifies

Robin Bush, ISR Communications

In a world complicated by conflict, it is increasingly important to recognize and acknowledge moments of kindness.  When we see others being kind, act kindly to others, or read about others being kind, it helps us by filling us with positive emotions and lowering stress levels.  It also helps us feel compassionate and increases our desire to help others even more. 

When we witness someone of any age giving, sharing, or helping, we absorb that into our lives and actions. Consider how it makes you feel when you observe a woman whose groceries total more than the money in her wallet and the person behind her in line hands her a $20 bill to cover the difference.  Consider how it makes you feel to step in as a caregiver for an afternoon so your friend who cares for her father 24/7 can get a haircut and go for a walk.  Consider how it makes you feel when you read about a young child bringing his favorite toys to the child of a family who had just lost everything in a fire.  Whether you see it, do it, or read about it, kindness can change your perspective on life and those around you.

There are a few things you can do to nurture the mental and physical benefits of kindness.  When you see kindness, tell yourself, “That’s kindness,” then tell others about it.  Or, think of a time when you did a random act of kindness.  Or, thank someone who surprises you with their kind actions or words, and then consider how you might share kindness in return.  Kindness doesn’t have to be a grand gesture; it can be something as small as helping an older person pick up something they dropped or a smile to someone who might be lonely.  Big or small kindness will make you, and the person you were kind to, feel better.