Kindness Perhaps the Most Underrated Power of Them All

By Jackie White

Hurray! It’s National Random Acts of Kindness Day! We here at SoulShine are always looking for ways to inspire you to live your best life. One of the easiest ways to fill your life with meaning, purpose and inspiration is to spread kindness. Kindness is one of the most underrated powers a person can possess. 

Kindness doesn’t cost you anything except maybe a little bit of thought and/or effort. It is holding a door for someone or greeting a stranger with a smile. Kindness makes your heart grow. Kindness can increase the happiness in your life. Kindness is so simple and yet we are surprised when others go out of their way to help. 
Here’s the best news of the day: We really shouldn’t be surprised because humans are inherently good despite what the evening news tells us!  

More Kindness = More Happiness

If data is what you need to support the claims that happiness can be found by giving to others, there are several studies that have examined this in depth. Studies by the Journal of Social Psychology and Journal of Happiness Studies both show that extending kindness and giving to others makes us happy. These studies have scientifically correlated kindness to happiness. The effects can be found when doing simple acts of kindness to strangers or extending kindness to those you know. 

Taking it one step further, you build relationships through kindness, and relationships are key to long term happiness. An 80 + year long study of happiness showed that our relationships have a powerful influence on our health. When you are kind to others, it connects you to others. Connection is key to finding happiness in life. Flash a smile at someone who isn’t expecting it and watch their face light up. It’s almost impossible to not pass on some kindness with just a smile

Connect with Kindness and Find the Fountain of Happiness:

Because kindness connects you to others, it is like pushing the happiness button. You do for others and in doing so, you connect with them on some level. Human connections are a keystone to happiness in life. Ok, so maybe there isn’t a Fountain of Happiness, but if there was, it would flow from the spring of kindness.

Kindness can touch others in ways that can not only brighten their day, but  in some instances can literally change their lives. You may have passed on a gesture of kindness to someone who was seeing only the bad in the world. You may have given them hope to take another step forward. That’s pretty powerful stuff.

What about you? Think about how kindness has touched you. There have been times in your life when someone has extended kindness to you. Certain kindnesses can be so memorable that they define goodness to you. Maybe it was a teacher in your childhood who took some extra time with you. Maybe you have that one friend who never forgets your birthday. Maybe it’s a complete stranger that impacted you. These things bring meaning to life. It’s all about connection. We need it more than most people realize. It is not overstating to say that kindness can change who you are.

The Powerhouse of Kindness

When we think of kindness, we think of people who are nice and gentle. It’s the thing that sweet little grandmas are made up of. When many think of kindness, we do not recognize the power it holds. It can be the changer of humanity. It can be the seed of love. It is what friendships are built upon. It is a nurturer and the glue that binds us all together. 

On the occasion of National Random Acts of Kindness Day, I challenge you to spread kindness everywhere you go! Hey, and be an overachiever and do it not just today, but everyday and help make the world a better place!

Shine On!

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