Random Acts of Kindness Changes Lives
“How do we change the World? One act of random kindness at a time.” Morgan Freeman shares these words of wisdom in the movie Evan Almighty. Random acts of kindness are defined as something one does for an unknown other that they hope will benefit that individual. In recent years, these acts, big or small, have caught on and are making an impact. The feel good nature of giving away kindness is a big positive, but the benefits go beyond bragging rights. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation was founded in Denver, Colorado, in response to the city's "Summer of Violence" in nineteen ninety-three, when dozens of people were killed in gang-related shootings. This organization encourages others to act not
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In November of two-thousand and twelve, Officer Lawrence De Primo was working a counterterrorism post in Times Square. He saw an older, barefooted homeless man, with blisters on his feet and saw an opportunity to serve. The officer was cold with two pair of socks on and knew that the homeless man must be freezing. He was moved to act and quickly went to a nearby store to purchase a new pair of shoes. An Arizona tourist captured the moment he knelt to help the man with the shoes or nobody would have known of his gesture. Officer De Primo said when he saw the shoes, “his face just lit up” and after putting them on he simply smiled and walked away (Goodman). The same month, Hurricane Sandy flooded parts of New York and New Jersey. Many were stranded with no power. Local individuals and businesses ran extension cords outside to provide power. Signs read “We have power. Feel free to charge your phone.” These makeshift stations turned into gathering places and provided access to the outside world (Clary). The kindness is not limited to the East Coast though, in Oregon, workers at Dutch Bros recognized that a young lady in their drive through was really upset. Pierce Dunn, a nineteen year old, and his co workers reached out to her and after hearing that she had lost her husband the night before, took the time to pray with her (Binder). The …show more content…
It can alleviate depression and improve your relationships. It is good for your heart and your immune system, and new studies are even showing that it helps you to live longer” (Hamilton xii). Dr. David Hamilton, bestselling author and PhD, goes on to explain in his article, “The 5 Side Effects of Kindness,” that, “acts of kindness create an emotional warmth, which releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure and, therefore, oxytocin is known as a ‘cardioprotective’ hormone. It protects the heart by lowering blood pressure.” Additionally, research by Stephen Post of Case Western Reserve University shows that adopting a giving lifestyle can lead to improved well-being and that “generous behavior is closely associated with reduced risk of illness and mortality and lower rates of depression” (Post and Neimark). These studies show that acting kindly towards others might be an antidote to some of life’s ailments, and can be contagious as well!
Dr. Steve Taylor, in his article . "Elation: The Amazing Effect of Witnessing Acts of Kindness” in Psychology Today, states that performing acts of kindness has a three-way positive affect. The recipient, the giver, and the passer-by who just happens to witness the act (Taylor). Catherine Ryan Hyde’s 1999 novel, later made into the movie Pay it Forward, made the term popular. The premise
In a short story called, “Thank you ma’am”, the author is trying to convey the theme, or message, of the importance of showing random acts of kindness towards others to help institute change. Mrs.J show one act of kindness when she washes his face. Another when she makes Roger food at her house. Mrs.J is kind and shows multiple examples throughout the story.
“Making a Difference” by June Callwood is an expository essay created to inspire the reader to make a change in the world around them, and to stand up for what they believe in. By just doing simple, positive things, people can make a huge impact on their lives and the lives of people around them. June Callwood, author of “Making a Difference”, changes the way many people see the world by describing scientific research and telling the stories of people who performed small, random acts of kindness that made a huge difference in people’s attitudes and the community around them.
It’s very simple, but creates a world of difference. This means so much to me, in so many ways. Kindness will make a person feel better, even if they aren’t that way themselves. I’ve seen the change simple kindness can make. It can change the outlook on someone’s life, or give someone a little hope.
The film Pay it Forward is an exceptional example of how one person, can do even one small positive thing that can create a ripple effect on the world. The main character Trevor, is a young boy that has a vision to make a difference in the world by with a small idea. The movie shows that his idea can effect many and go farther than intended when it is contingent upon people doing the right thing. This concept exemplifies many Christian messages in doing generous acts for others, while expecting nothing in return.
Strassmair (2009) also showed that the people who benefit fully from the perceived kindness or the costly action of others does not spoil the benefit for them or induce any negative emotion such as guilt. This kindness received from others is also given great significance by the receiver of the kind act (Macdonald, Liben, Carnevale, Rennick, Wolf, Meloche, & Cohen, 2005).
While the idea of thinking of and helping others sounds “nice” it is just candidly that there is no amelioration through this. Altruism is a detriment to the mind allowing it to be clouded by the opinions of others and allowing people to sacrifice heart in themselves. “He knew, for the moment, that he felt affection for Roark; an affection that held pain, astonishment and helplessness” (Rand 114). Peter Keating displays how he looks to others for inspiration rather than himself like Roark does. Keating is insecure about his abilities and his covetousness for the regard of others makes him a slave to their genius, while contributing none of his own. People use magnanimity as a way to escape their own problems by helping others or expecting a favor in return for their time spent helping. Psychiatrist, philosopher, and writer who lives and teaches in Oxford, England Neel Burton M.D. says: “Altruism is an ego defence, a form of sublimation in which a person copes with his problems and anxieties by stepping outside himself and helping others” (Burton). Altruism is a way for people to run away from their griefs by focusing on the distress of others. However, this leads to concentrating so much on others a person can not refine themselves. Egoism should be glorified, it allows for people to be able to improve themselves and build their
In my opinion, being nice to people is the foundation for almost everything you’ll do in this world. This book has made me think about the effects of being kind to people. Now, I see that if I do something nice for someone, it not only makes them happy, but it has an impact on me too. I also realize that it influences many things in my life. I see how important it is now to be nice to people, because kindness gets you everywhere now.
Random acts of kindness is a great way to encourage others to be kinder to people. By doing this project we would be showing people that it is a good thing to be kind. We would be setting an example for people all around Jackson County. We feel people in Jackson County need help on how to be more kind. This is the reason why we will be doing random acts of kindness. Once or twice a week, depending on what we choose to do, we will both, separately or together, do something kind for someone without planning it out.
To become successful in society, kindness becomes almost mandatory because conversely to the aforementioned assumption if one is not kind to others, others will not be kind in return. No matter the attributes of the individual at some point one must rely on the support of their
The Help was written by Kathryn Stockett and directed by Tate Taylor. It is based in Jackson, Mississippi during the civil rights era in the 1960’s. The Help is a movie about the life of the African American maids during the 1960’s. Most African American women raised the wealthy white children with little regard to their own families. Considering the era and how negative the concept of it is, the movie was actually pretty comical, and “safe”.
Altruistic emotions and prosocial behaviours are linked with greater well-being, health and longevity (Stephen, 2005). In this context altruism is defined as self-less giving without thinking about what you get in return and pro-social behaviours are acts that positively impact others well-being. Indeed, previous studies show a strong correlation between the well-being, happiness, health and longevity of people who are emotionally and behaviourally compassionate (Stephen, 2005). This essay argues that altruism and prosocial behaviours have many positive impacts on the giver as long as the giver is not forced to engage in the helping task. Firstly studies which examine prosocial behaviours and the impact they have on the giver will be discussed
It's not about giving people things, but more so about one’s daily gestures and what one says to everyone each day. Being kind might be tough at times but in the end avoiding a rude comment is much better than saying one. There are so many ways to show others that being kind is important so don’t be afraid to try some out. Looking into it further, if everyone in the world was kind, we could avoid conflicts from small fights on the streets to world wars because everyone would be able to communicate and compromise with one another in a civilized
My favorite act of kindness is complimenting someone, because it lights up their face and a wide smile usually spreads across their face. I know that when I’ve been complimented, it often makes
Aesop once stated, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” In this time period, many people around the globe only focus on their life, and they do not focus on lifting others up. Kindness is one word that can change lives, even when the person that shows kindness doesn’t even know the impact they are making. One act of kindness does not appear to be very important, but every act makes an impact. The world is full of hatred, war, and terrorism, but anybody can start to make a change. Some reasons that any act of kindness has an impact include other people needing positivity, the start of a chain reaction, and the benefit of other people in the world.
“Random Act of Kindness.” Good Therapy. Good Therapy, 14 August. 2013. Web. 16 October. 2013.