...3 December 2014 The Power of Kindness I hope to someday make the world a better place to live. The root of this will come from the people who make up this world. Today’s society is so fast-paced and overwhelming that it is easy to forget to show appreciation to those who deserve it. By shining light on the lowered heads that may have forgotten just how important they are, I feel I can make the world a happier place. To do so I will start small and perform an act of kindness for the people I believe are the most worthy of it and ask only of them to pay the act of kindness forward. I hope the acts of kindness will create a chain reaction, resulting in a more positive living environment. The act of kindness has been proven to be powerful. A Ripple Kindness Project conducted in 2012 revealed the positive affects kindness has on people both mentally and physically (Kindness 1). With such benefits, why are these acts not being carried out on a daily basis? I hope to create a ripple effect of my own once completing my acts of kindness. There were so many factors to consider when choosing the acts of kindness I wanted to do. I looked at who I thought deserved the act the most, what act I should perform, whether I wanted to stay anonymous or not, when I should execute the act, and how I should do it. Ultimately, I chose to perform an act of kindness to random men and women in downtown Grand Rapids, my fellow coworkers, and an elderly woman in my Public Speaking class. I chose these...
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...I believe random acts of kindness are related to our class because the health fields are service fields. We will be working with people. We need to be able to get along with others. We will need to be or learn to be givers. They say people get well faster if they have the right attitude. If we work in health services and we help our patients by being positive around them they may get better faster, and I think we will enjoy our work more too. My favorite random act of kindness from the past nine weeks is something that happened here at the local fishing hole on Lewisburg Highway. One day I was fishing there and I caught three big Rainbow Trout. My step-dad Mark and I met a man who was also fishing for trout. He said he was taking his fish home to feed his family. I decided I would like him to have my three fish too. It felt like the right thing to do. Mark really bragged on me to my mom and told her how happy that made him to see me just decide to do that on my own. I have done a lot more than three a week. Some other things I have done without being asked over the past nine weeks are: I have written grocery lists, and cooked for the family. One night I made a shrimp dish that was everyone's favorite. I got a hair cut and the lady was extra nice and did a really good job. I said to her, “ Thanks, you are the best hair stylist ever.” She was touched and we were both really happy. One day at school a friend was cold and I let her have my hoodie even though I was cold too...
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...Bringing happiness and hope to someone’s day are an honor; this can be accomplished by giving or helping others without thought of self-benefit (Olpin & Hesson, 2016). This Random Act of Kindness (RAK) can be achieved by performing a selfless act to either help or positively affect the emotional state of another person (Passmore & Oades, 2015). The Random Act of Kindness that I performed was at a Dunkin Donuts; I asked the gentleman behind me if he was having a cup of coffee today. He responded. “yes.” I placed my order; the told the cashier that I was going to purchase the gentleman’s coffee. Both the clerk and the gentleman looked at me with a strange glance. I assured the gentleman that this was not a television prank and he started to laugh....
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...She handed me a five dollar bill through the car window, then turned and walked away. I don’t know her name, nor where she was going—the encounter was so brief—but I know I will never forget that lady stranger who generously saved me from a lot of frustration and prevented me from walking a mile or more to my destination. The scene was a downtown public parking lot. My husband, Leo, and I were already a half hour late for a statewide conference on the status of African American families and children. (CSAAFC). We had taken the wrong fork in the expressway, and found ourselves deadlocked in traffic that was backed up for four miles due to a serious accident. I told Leo to go the other way, but he didn’t. . . When we finally were able to exit, we tried to find parking in the designated free garages and lots near the hosting hotel. But, by now, they were all full. Not expecting this, neither of us had brought change; all we had was a twenty dollar bill. When we did find some space in a lot two blocks away from the conference, we were unable to pay the automated box for our slot; we needed five dollars. There was, handily, an ATM that charged $4.50 to get change for a twenty. But, there was no guarantee that there would be a five spot; we might have gotten just two tens for change. That wouldn’t have helped the situation. Besides, $4.50 just seemed like highway robbery. I wasn’t willing to pay it. We asked several people approaching the pay box if they could change a twenty. “No”...
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... Random Acts of Kindness by Janice Dineen and If by Rudyard Kipling illustrate how the reader can improve their way of living. These authors show what roles and responsibilities people need to become more mature. A Better Way tells someone that working together helps everyone. In this story a teacher asks his students to play musical chairs. They play and the strongest student wins, then he boasted about his victory. After that the teacher makes them play again, however there is no losers. When they got to no chairs everyone needed to find out a way to make it that everyone has somewhere to sit. The teacher placed the students in a circle in order for all of them to have a seat. This is a great example of team work. It shows how a group of people can work together and benefit everyone. Robert asked the question “Is it always to be a winners-losers world, or can we keep everyone in the game?” (p. 121) People must look out for each other, and aid in others struggles. The world can be a better place if people get together to solve problems. In return it will benefit everyone....
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...What would the world be like if there was no kindness? Would the world just continue on in one huge war? Would people only think about themselves? How would anyone go on without kindness? Kindness is acting on behalf of someone else and not expecting anything in return. Princess Diana once said, “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” Princess Diana was an excellent example of a kind person. She spent much of her time helping different charities, but one charity that she devoted a lot of her time to help was for the AIDS patients. Diana raised a ton of money to help find a cure for the disease and she would visit the patients in hospitals, holding...
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...Kayla Yim 12/5/13 Sink or Swim Kicks Kindness Contest By definition, the word ‘kindness’ is a behavior marked by ethical characteristics, a pleasant disposition, and concern for others. But like any word, its definition can be expanded into broader terms. As Mark Twain once said, “kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Kindness should be an idea that comes from the heart, not the brain; it should be something that you truly feel will make someone’s life even the slightest bit better. Remember in elementary school, all the teachers tried to instill good virtues to live by? As time progressed, people tend to forget that acts of kindness should still be carried with you as you mature. Kindness isn’t some ‘elementary school act’ that should only be followed as a young student; it’s important to know what the valuable things in life are. No matter how small the act of kindness is, someone will appreciate it. My small act of kindness is really small, yet very important. It can do so many things, from brightening someone’s day to potentially saving someone’s life. It’s something that everyone does at least once a day, but not everyone knows the extent of what it can actually do for someone. A virtuous act of kindness could be something as small as a smile. Personally, I feel that a smile can give so much more than money can ever give. Wherever I am, I always try to have a smile on my face because it can...
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...philosophy is kindness.” The current situation is characterized by a spiritual impoverishment of the spiritual powers of man, which makes it almost impossible to moral action. Man denies given reality, transforming it into a free creative act. But where did he deny? In other words, if we use the analogy of the springboard, then that allows a person to jump, leads to jump and where he jumps, and who decide how far to jump? Springboard for itself can not cause a jump, but only one of the conditions of its possibility. That is, the existence of one does not require given reality denying it, because it is not in the animal world, but it exists in the human. Reality does not imply a project of transformation, but a man comes always dissatisfied in everything and everybody, and begins to break and build. There are always deployed vast horizons of opportunities in front of every man, to where he should decide to put oneself and choose one single path. And the situation is further complicated by the fact that people here cannot get rid of choice at random, here is required of him the necessity of choice. The choice should not only be free and personal, but necessary. Moreover, the need for external not taken into account, a person is looking for, demands from himself if he is honest with himself, this need to be an internal. On nothing else but the internal obligation, a person does not want and cannot stop, if he seeks reasons for their actions. Inner base of acts is - will. Act - a matter...
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...After serving the lady free pancakes, she was asked to barrow a couple of dollars to cover a bus ride with the promise of returning the money soon. Not expecting a return, Ivory hands the lady two dollars because she believes in kindness. The struggling lady returned three weeks later with news of her new job and living place. She returned Ivory’s two dollars along with a meal covered on her check. Stunned to see the lady now on her feet, she feels a sense of accomplishment. Not only did she do a good deed for a random person, but she also started a continuous act of kindness. Some so little, such as a free stack of pancakes, can go a long way. It’s the simple things in life that make the biggest impact. Cause and Effect Ivory takes a fresh pot of coffee to back of the diner. Ivory sees the tired lady who asks the price of only one breakfast taco. Because the lady is obviously struggling Ivory offers free pancakes. Because the lady asked for 2 dollars with the promise of returning them Ivory gives the lady a couple dollars. Because Ivory gave the struggling lady two dollars The lady kept her promise and returned the money along with a meal in return. Because Ivory’s kindness came back around in her favor she believes random acts of kindness take care of everyone in the world, some way or another. *Peace Begins With One Person Ivory Harlow - San Antonio, Texas As heard on NPR’s npr.org, May 25, 2010 In the essay, Returning to what is Natural, Amilia Baxter writes...
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...related to on science writing (50). If mankind is capable of having altruism as part of their genetic makeup, it is clear that mankind would then be good by nature. Altruism can be defined as an impulse. An impulse is a reaction to a situation, not a learned response to a situation. Pure altruism is giving without regard to reward or the benefits of recognition. . One example of this is noted in a paragraph in the above mentioned article on altruism. Angier’ talks about this as she wrote about the last of the four hijacked planes on September 11, 2001. It reads “as the last of four hijacked planes advances toward an unknown but surely populated destination, passengers huddle together and plot resistance against their captors, an act that may explain why the plane fails to reach its target, crashing instead into an empty field outside Pittsburg” (51). The passengers on flight 93 displayed heroism and altruism as they developed a plan to try to take over the plane to stop the terrorist from crashing it into a large populated area. The passengers, while knowing that their lives would probably end, took over the plane and crashed it crashed into a field killing all on board but saved the lives of many others in the process....
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...Generosity goes a long way. Its like a butterfly effect just like the “pay-forward-method”. Usually occurs at a drive thru. Costumer A, asks to pay for costumer B’s order and the effect it has on costumer B encourages them to participate to do the same for costumer C’s order and so forth. In the article “5 Ways Giving Is Good for You” by Jill Suttie and Jason Marsh, number three is “Giving promotes cooperation and social connection”. Representing the same exact thing that occurs in the “pay-forward-method”. These individuals are connecting, perhaps on a spiritual level, but it gives a sense of trust and friendliness that is not received to an every day-to-day life. Which is gratitude, because these random acts of kindness aren’t forced they...
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...The Acts of Mercy Mercy is kind forbearance shown towards an enemy or an offender. In the novel, “Mercy Among the Children”, by David Adams Richards, the beginning section is called “Mercy”. Throughout the novel, the main character Sydney Henderson lives his life based around mercy. Not only does Sydney experience mercy, but it's portrayed among others throughout the novel. During this essay my altercations will be based on, “Why this section is called Mercy”. Reason #1: Sydney shows Mercy towards everyone: Sydney's upbringing caused him to show mercy towards his enemies. At a young age Sydney experienced constant violence and negative public criticism. His father was sent to jail and the Henderson name was looked down upon harsh judgement and accusation ever since. In result of Sydney experiencing so much blame and accuse as a youth he promised himself that “he would never raise his hand or his voice to another soul.” (23-24, Adam Richards). Ever since he was the age of twelve, Sydney lived by his promise to show forgiveness towards the ones who betrayed or showed wrong against himself or his family. In Sydney's early years of marriage with Elly, Cynthia Pit accuses Sydney to be the father of her baby. Sydney shows mercy towards Cynthia by keeping quite and not taking a blood test after the child was born. When Diedre whyne approaches Sydney about the situation, he says, “I will not participate in the shame of one and the ridicule of another for my own welfare.”...
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...Essay on kindness Right said 'Mark Twain'. Kindness is the universal language that is comprehended beyond the boundaries. Each and every individual understands and speaks this language. An act of kindness never goes futile. If you are kind to someone it will reflect in your and his behaviour. Being kind to others instils a positive feeling and makes this world a better place to live. Kindness is one of the seven virtues. It can be defined as the righteous and caring attitude towards other. But the definition of the kindness does not limit to these two words only. Kindness is a complex term to comprehend yet simplest to realise. Showing kindness towards others gives a feeling of joy and mirth to the recipient. The doer is also satiated by the feeling of warmth and compassion. Kindness is the basic driving force of the nature. The nature is so kind to us that it helps in flourishing the civilizations. The rising sun and the wandering clouds are all the miracles of nature only. Though, the perspective completely changes with the scientific reasoning, yet everyone agrees that the whole cosmos conspires to sustain life and hope. Kindness is taught by every religion. Be it Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism or Islam or any other religion to name, all teach to express kindness towards others. The term is not only restricted to human implementation. But cruelty against all the living creatures is a sin. Even the mute animals wave their tail as a return gesture to kindness shown to...
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...civility once dwelled. It was my understanding that there was never any room for kindness in the chaotic environments of war. The Pianist certainly breaks my pedantic understanding of war. It shows the reader that even in the most dreadful of circumstances, acts of kindness prevail. There are three instances that best categorize these paradoxes of war: the kindness amongst those being oppressed, citizens, those individuals who are not being oppressed, helping the victims and perhaps the most astonishing instance of all – the chivalry of war. These acts of kindness during moments of despair are what truly epitomize the paradox of war. The German invasion of Warsaw, Poland brought about the beginning of one of the worst mass genocides the world has ever seen. Almost immediately, the Jewish people of Warsaw were discriminated and the oppression seemed to literally come overnight. One of the most gut wrenching scenes of the novel has to be that of a young boy being halfway trapped in a wall separating the Ghettos from the rest of society. Wladyslaw Szpilman sees the boy squirming as fast as he can, trying to get through the wall before the German officer’s capture him. After watching the boy struggle and hearing the officers tugging on the boys legs, Mr. Szpilman immediately jumps in to help. The boy is beaten alive and killed with Mr. Szpilman still tugging his arms. Another instance showcasing acts of kindness amongst the oppressed can be seen in the Umschlagplatz. The Umschlagplatz...
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...Altruism and Psychology Adam Barker PSY 490 Capstone Course in Psychology Dennis Plunkett, MC, CC July 29, 2013 Altruism and Psychology The random act of kindness that I completed this week was buying an old man a coffee in front of me at Starbucks. He ordered a Grande Pike with room. I heard the order and said “I’ll get that miss” and without even hesitating handed over my card to pay for the drink. The older man look at me with a cracked smile and confused kind of look before muttering the words “you didn’t have to do that young man, but thank you” I replied with a smile on my face “no problem Sir”. Now, let’s look at a definition of altruism: Altruism involves the unselfish concern for other people. It involves doing things simply out of a desire to help, not because you feel obligated to out of duty, loyalty, or religious reasons. (psychology.about.com) When reading the above statement I think that it is important to point out the key words “unselfish, not because you feel obligated to out of duty, loyalty, or religious reasons”. By reading this it is my interpretation that in order to be altruistic you have to do something and NOT gain anything by doing it. What do you think? Now let’s breakdown the various reasons I could have done this: 1. To ensure that I did my random act of kindness as assigned by the school 2. To get a good feeling and a sense of pleasure, knowing that I helped someone 3. To make sure that I got points on my card 4. To speed up the process...
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