On Monday - see post - I mentioned gratitude, the keeping of a Gratitude Journal and so on. I think most readers to a blog such as this will feel that being grateful is a positive trait which can be beneficial to the individual and perhaps to the larger world as well.
Likewise kindness is also beneficial and, what's more, scientists now agree - well at least some of them do.
There has been a study carried out at the University of Sussex's Mindlab, the research being carried out by psychologist Dr David Lewis.
His findings seem to establish that people who do good deeds, such as helping a neighbour or doing charity work, experience less anger and stress and feel more positive and self confident.
Dr Lewis said, "Being more considerate can reduce stress levels. Effects of stress on the body are well documented: it can suppress the immune system, lead to a rise in blood pressure, increase risk of heart attack and stroke, and contribute to infertility."
The doc's conclusion is: "Therefore to improve our chances of being healthy we should all start doing good to others today."
By coincidence I just read that Harvard University have shown that helping others also makes us mentally tougher and physically stronger. Problem is that they have also shown here that evil deeds improve physical performance as well. Though they did conclude, "Helping others may be the best way of regaining control of your own life."
Personally I feel that kindness works wonders in a positive way. Though we should probably show kindness without the thought of any reward or return I believe that the old adage about what we give we also receive is true.
Even if we don't necessarily believe this there can be no denying that when we do something good for others it makes us feel good and this is, therefore, very uplifting.
I know people who do random acts of kindness and reckon it has improved their lives no end.
I guess the thing about kindness is that it doesn't have to cost money. It can be a smile, a compliment, a helping hand, flowers or fruit from your garden and a myriad of other things.
Once we start showing kindness (and gratitude) it sets off a chain reaction. I mentioned something along these lines in my post Miles Of Smiles And Butterflies.
Whether wanting spiritual enlightenment or simply a happier more trouble-free life I would say that gratitude and kindness are two essentials.
Further Reading:
Gratitude The Sacred Secret And The Law Of Attraction
Seed Money Brings A Tenfold return
A Woman In a Yellow Dress Reminds Me What Happiness Is All About
You have done it again Mike, exactly what I feel as well. Kindness can be infectious and is something we should all try to do to brighten up the world. All of those miserable faces in a queue at a Post Office, imagine what it would be like if they were all smiling.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen you much on Squidoo recently.
The giving and receiving of little kindnesses make each day a little more memorable. A stranger waving me ahead in traffic is enough to remind me to 'pay it forward.'
ReplyDeletewv: comazz (come as you are?)
Kindness goes a long way toward brightening not only our own day, but that of someone else.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more! Whenever I go off on a pity party I start listing all the things for which I'm grateful. It actually changes our brain chemistry.
ReplyDeleteI've always assumed that being grateful brings more of what we are grateful for. I'd like to think the same applies to kindness. The more I give to others the more I will receive in return. That's not to say I expect to have kindness returned but somehow I think it's a pleasure when it is returned.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Yep. I've seen this in action, and the message needs to be put forth, as often as possible. Many still don't understand how easy it is. Drama still has appeal.
ReplyDeleteYou included in this post that evil deeds seem to have a positive effect. That is the appeal, but it doesn't work in the pay-it-forward scenario. Evil has short term rewards for the one or the few. Kindness has long term rewards for the many.