The power of kindness: Good deeds benefit all
t’s nice to be nice.” For as long as I can remember I have been using this little phrase to express how I feel about the importance of treating people with respect and kindness. One might say I am a believer in the principle of the “Golden Rule.” Which is to treat others the way you would like to be treated. In our present time and society, it is very unfortunate to see this principle practiced by fewer and fewer individuals.
As the world around us becomes more chaotic and uncertain, it is important that we find a way to counteract the sense of despair that can too easily overtake our minds and spirit. One effective way that I have identified to accomplish this and happens to also be supported by research, is performing random acts of kindness.
Pay if forward, is a familiar term in our modern vernacular, that means to do nice things for other people regardless of whether you know them or not.
Some of you might recall the film that was based on the book of the same title, Pay It Forward, which came out in the early 2000s, starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. The movie was set in Las Vegas and detailed how a 12-yearold boy was able to turn a classroom project into a movement of good deeds and helped to change the world for the better.
If you have never seen the movie, I highly recommend it, not only for its entertainment value, but also for the wonderful message it shares regarding the power of kindness.
As showcased in the movie, there are great benefits to being kind. Those who make a practice of carrying out small acts of kindness to others, find they are the biggest benefactors of the good deeds. The benefits experienced are increased happiness and feeling more in control of one’s life.
In a research study conducted by Sonya Lyubomirsky, a psychologist at Stanford University, students were asked to carry out five weekly “random acts of kindness,” which could range from buying a hamburger for a homeless person to helping out a family member with a chore. The results of the study showed the students who conducted the acts reported higher levels of happiness and an increased sense of well-being.
Increased happiness and well-being are two things we all can use a little more of. All that is required to get started is to make a commitment to intentionally be and do kind things for others, regardless of their ability to return the favor. If you are interested in getting started, but might need some ideas of what to do, here are a few suggestions on how to start your own kindness movement:
• Call or visit an older family member or friend
• Bake cookies for a neighbor
• Give a larger than normal tip to your next waiter
• Buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line
• Send an email every day to a different person sharing kind words about its recipient
Michelle Thomas is the director of TRIO programs at Arizona Western College. She can be reached at Michelle. thomas@azwestern.edu.