Today’s post is a thank you from a son to his father’s neighbor who had the foresight and the kindness to look in on the father when something seemed amiss. It’s a beautiful example of how inter-connected we are and that taking the time to notice those around you can have a profound impact.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/04/17/3891629/fort-worth-legends-kindness-gives.html
I almost did not read this article because I was disappointed that businesses were using kindness as a strategy to make more money. I thought they were missing the point. However, that’s not what the article was about at all. It was a response to a former story about a flight attendant going out of her way to help a stranded passenger. While the comments to the original story were mostly positive, there were a few cynics out there that the author was addressing. It’s worth a read.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500395_162-57414129/is-kindness-a-realistic-customer-service-strategy/
A recent study has shown kindness may be in part genetic. People who have G/G gene variant are more altruistic even in tough times. This TIME article explains the science behind the study.
http://healthland.time.com/2012/04/16/human-kindness-genes-withstand-threats-and-fear/
This article describes four journalists’ attempts at Random Acts of Kindness. What I found most amusing was that often people were suspicious. Are we so jaded that we can’t accept an act of kindness without worrying what the person is up to? However, each person felt really good helping others in small ways.
http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/Samaritan-work-harder-expected/story-15828697-detail/story.html
Today’s Kindness Post is about an elementary school in Southern California where the kids created 85 Easter Baskets for local foster kids. I like how many stories involve schools teaching about kindness, compassion and generosity.