Monfredo: Needed in Our Community..Acts of Kindness
Saturday, March 14, 2015
We live in such a negative society for all you have to do is read the news in the media or just listen to any talk show. Many people in our society are quick to criticize and play the blame game on others. What has become of “random acts of kindnesses? Whether we are talking about adults or children for studies prove that kindness has many physical, emotional and mental health benefits. Everyone needs a healthy dose of kind words to thrive and feel good about themselves.
Research shows that kindness changes the brain by the experience of kindness. Children and adolescents do not learn kindness by only thinking about it and talking about it. Kindness is best learned by feeling it so that they can reproduce it. A definition of an act of kindness is, “a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual… There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier.” Wouldn’t that be wonderful if tomorrow everyone reading this story made someone smile?
Can you imagine a world where no one gave to each other? Where we all just looked after our own needs and ignored everyone else’s? This would surely be a miserable place to live, for ultimately, whether spontaneous or planned, we cannot be happy without being kind, by giving and caring for each other. Look what’s happening in our society, especially in our schools, bullying is on the rise. What if kindness and compassions are taught in our schools? Could this be a step in the right direction?
Maurice Elias, Professor at Rutgers University Psychology Department stated,
“As a citizen, grandparent, father, and professional, it is clear to me that the mission of schools must include teaching kindness. Without it, communities, families, schools, and classrooms become places of incivility where lasting learning is unlikely to take place . . . [W]e need to be prepared to teach kindness, because it can be delayed due to maltreatment early in life. It can be smothered under the weight of poverty, and it can be derailed by victimization later in life . . . Kindness can be taught, and it is a defining aspect of civilized human life. It belongs in every home, school, neighborhood, and society.
Adults, however, need to set the example and listen to what Professor Elias is saying. So what if once a week we try to perform at least 5 different acts of kindness for different people. Make these things that you wouldn't ordinarily do. Afterwards, think: How did you feel after you did each act? How do you feel at the end of the day? You could also do this as a challenge with friends and get together in the evening to talk about what you got up to. Go on spread a little kindness!
Here are twenty-five acts of kindness for you to consider… start doing this tomorrow…
-Hold a door open for someone
-Give a (sincere) compliment
- Make someone laugh
- Give someone a hug
- Take time to really listen to someone
-Let one car in on every journey
-Make someone new feel welcome
-Have a conversation with a stranger
- Let someone in front of you in the queue
-Read a story with a child
-Tell someone they mean a lot to you
-Let someone have your parking spot
- Offer your change to someone struggling to find the right amount
-Treat a loved one to breakfast in bed
-Buy cakes or fruit for your colleagues
-Invite your neighbor round for a drink and a chat
- Offer to help with someone's shopping
-Tell someone if you notice they're doing a good job
-Pass on a book you've enjoyed
-Say sorry (you know who to)
-Forgive someone for what they've done
-Visit a sick friend, relative or neighbor
-Bake something for a neighbor
- Do a chore that you don't normally do
- Call up a talk show with good news
Thus, instead of talking about how terrible things are let’s all do what we can to bring kindness back into our community. , Love to hear what you have done to make our community a better place!
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