Why Kindness

A Simple Way to Make A World of Difference

Consider a time when you experienced an unkind act like someone not holding the door open when you had your hands full; refusing to let you in their traffic lane and thus endangering other drivers' safety; or ganging up on a peer in the schoolyard, how did it affect you...

Consider a time when you experienced a KindAct like an empathetic or welcoming smile, encouraging words, a supportive gesture or someone going out of their way to help out in a crisis, how did it affect you...

What kind of world would you choose to live in?

The opportunity...

We have a choice. We can create a thriving, safe, friendly and attractive community which capitalizes on our potential as humankind.

The challenge...

In a world where life-threatening diseases, hunger, environmental deterioration, stress and violence continue to occupy our attention, the importance of kindness can all too easily get dismissed as a luxury item to be dealt with when the more essential issues are solved. Yet it is this misconception that lies at the heart of many of our challenges. Consider the possibility that it is the absence of kindness that perpetuates violence, suffering and contributes to our growing sense of alienation from ourselves and each other.

A few observations...

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) in a 1999 study ranked Canada in the top five nations for workplace assaults and underscored workplace trauma, physical or emotional, as one of the greatest concerns facing workers in the new millennium.

• Employees waste 10-52% of their time at work defending themselves or networking for support, when traumatized.

• It costs $3 billion annually to treat anxiety-ridden workers in the United States.

• Up to 15% of students report themselves seriously/severely stressed by peer abuse (based on Canadian studies on bullying in elementary schools).

• The World Health Organization predicts that sadness may well become the second most debilitating disease by year 2020

Tougher firearms legislation, increased school security and the widespread use of anti-depressants are evidence of a thought paradigm focused on finding relief, shelter and protection from unkind acts. Though this paradigm has produced results, the rapidly increasing rates of alienation, depression and trauma in society are indications of a disease whose trend and roots run deep into the hearts of individuals.

As human beings we seem to have lost touch with what distinguishes us as humans, our natural capacity for compassion and our ability to be kind. It is in our nature and in our name, "humankind".

The Concept

Kindnessis simple,
accessible to everyone,
and has the power to transform lives.

Kindness goes to the heart of the matter. Our society is built on a foundation of relationships, which connect individuals to families, work environments, communities, countries and our global community. From the courtroom to the battlefield, relationship lies at the heart of our challenges as well as our solutions. The way we affect each other relates to the quality of our interactions and ultimately determines the well being and success of our society.

The simple act of kindness, in itself, bonds and heals. It brings meaning and a sense of connectedness to both the receiver and giver. Kindness is the universal act that appeals to our humanity and transcends all barriers of race, sex, religion, culture and politics. It is the language of the heart that speaks to our common bond; facilitates understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of differences; and ultimately, heals the roots of violence, depression and stress.

Kindness is a practical and powerful practice providing individuals with an actionable way to impact themselves and others within every environment. The movie, "Pay It Forward", starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt is a brilliant illustration of the amazing power and natural rippling effects of kindness. One kind act by a young boy starts a chain reaction of kindness with consequences so far reaching that it may just end up transforming the world. A kinder world, one act at a time... Imagine.

Science supports the benefits of heart connection.

(The HeartMath Solution: Doc Childre and Howard Martin with Donna Beech - Harper Collins, Copyright 1999)

HeartMath Institute scientific research studies confirmed where individuals learned simple techniques to connect with and "think" through their hearts, they experienced greater balance and harmony, an enhanced perspective and the ability to think more clearly and work at peak efficiency. Participants reported experiencing more energy and joy and the rekindling of the "spark for life". These are the same feelings that are reported when people experience the effects of kindness as a giver or receiver.

"If we didn't know how to be kind, there might be lots of fighting and people would get hurt."

- Ryan, nine-year-old student at Dormick Park Elementary

It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one's life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than "Try to be a little kinder".

- Aldous Huxley