As I was thinking about my dad this Father’s Day weekend, I recalled something he often said when I was growing up. “Kindness costs nothing.” It’s a simple phrase—yet a phrase that makes you wonder why kindness appears to be such a rare commodity these days.
One of the nicest compliments I’ve received in the weeks leading up to my retirement is “Michelle is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.” It seems my dad taught me well. Those words mean more to me than any money, title, or other accomplishment.
But what is kindness? And how can each of us sprinkle a little more of it into the increasingly selfish and cynical world we live in?
What is Kindness?
To me, kindness is about the little things we can all do every day to make a difference in someone’s life. It’s about treating people the way we would like to be treated. Simply put, it comes down to respect and just being a decent human being. It really isn’t all that difficult.
That’s why I find it a little distressing that we need days like Global Pay It Forward Day or its cousin Random Acts of Kindness Day to remind us to do things that were once considered common courtesy.
Kindness is Good For Us
Research has shown that being kind increases our wellbeing. And the good news is, the simple things have the biggest impact. The American Psychological Association found that small acts of kindness were more strongly associated with overall wellbeing than more formal acts like volunteering or giving to charity.
In addition to making us and others feel good, the U.K. Mental Health Foundation reports kindness can reduce feelings of isolation and help us keep things in perspective. They also indicate that one act of kindness can lead to more when the recipient of a kind deed pays it forward to someone else.
It’s true that small acts of kindness multiply. When you show kindness to another person, they are more likely to be kind to someone else. Research by Dr. David Hamilton indicates that one single act of kindness can multiply to 125 people within 24 hours. That’s a whole lot of kindness from one simple act.
Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
– Scott Adams
Sprinkle a Little Kindness in Your World
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we started a kindness revolution? This week, make a point of performing three acts of kindness. Here are some simple ideas to get you started:
- Take the time to listen to a co-worker and help them with something they’re struggling with.
- Write a handwritten note or card to let someone know you’re thinking about them.
- Invite a friend for lunch or a coffee.
- Bake a few extra cookies and give them to an elderly neighbour or relative.
- Say a sincere “thank you for the work you do” to the cashier at the supermarket, the person serving your coffee, the mail carrier, bus driver, or anyone serving you in any role.
For more ideas, check out this post from Perfect Manifesto, “55 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Start Doing”. It’s a terrific list of simple things that will make a difference in someone’s day.
And remember, according to Dr. Hamilton’s research, your three simple acts of kindness will ripple to 375 people. That’s my kind of math.
What are your ideas on simple ways to spread kindness in your world? Drop me a comment below and let me know.
Learn more about me in my bio and on my personal blog at BoomerEcoCrusader.com. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.