Kindness Counts

Be friendly, generous and considerate. “A single act of kindness grows out roots in all directions and the roots spring up and make new trees” - Amelia Earhart

It’s important to be kind, especially to yourself. Research shows that counting your own acts of kindness can lead to gratefulness. Kind people experience more happiness and have happier memories. Happy people are more kind and can become happier (Otake et al., 2006).

For kindness ideas, visit the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation [https://www.randomactsofkindness.org]. Acts of kindness do not have to be of momentary value. It could be showing up, answering the phone, reaching out or helping. It could be donating to a food shelter, discount center, paying it forward, pet pantry or just sharing a favorite game. Act across school, workplaces, home and within your community.

In the past, we made rubber band bracelets for the advocacy center, left candy on friends’ doorsteps and filled a baby bottle with change for church. Yet, more people have been kind to us. A future challenge is in the making, we’ll call it the 7-day kindness challenge.

References:

Otake, K., Satoshi, S., Tanaka-Matsumi, J., Otsui, K., Fredrickson, B. (2006) Happy People Become Happier Through Kindness: Counting Kindness Intervention. Journal of Happiness Studies. 7:3, 361-375.