By Henrylito D. Tacio
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”—Aesop
***
A couple of years ago, a group of salesmen attended a national conference in Cebu. Delegates from Davao assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for supper on Friday night.
One thing led to another and the conference ran overtime. The men had to race to the airport, tickets in hand. As they barged through the terminal, one man inadvertently kicked over a table supporting a basket of mangoes. Without stopping, they all reached the plane in time and boarded it with a sigh of relief.
All but one. He paused, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose mangoes stand had been overturned. He waved goodbye to his companions and returned to the terminal. He was glad he did. The ten-year-old girl was blind.
The salesman gathered up the mangoes and noticed that several of the mangoes were battered and bruised. He reached into his wallet and said to the girl, “Here, please take this five hundred pesos for the damage we did. I hope it didn’t spoil your day.”
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered girl called out to him, “Are you an angel?”
He stopped in mid-stride – and he wondered.
What did William Penn once say about kindness? “I expect to pass through life but once,” he penned. “If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”
The true essence of kindness involves a conscious and brave decision to prioritize the welfare of both others and you. It is grounded in the collective human bond—originating from the ancient term kin, which signifies “we belong to the same kind.”
Genuine kindness transcends mere niceness; it serves as a proactive force driven by intrinsic values rather than a mere wish to satisfy everyone.
To be kind entails making daily choices in actions, words, and thoughts that reflect care and respect for others. You can cultivate kindness by engaging in active listening, performing small acts of kindness, and practicing self-compassion.
Daily, you can express kindness through actions such as holding doors open or allowing someone to go ahead of you in line; helping with chores or tasks without needing to be prompted; and smiling while saying, “Please,” “Thank you,” or “Hello” to those you encounter.
Alternatively, you may offer sincere compliments that originate from the heart; listen attentively when someone is speaking without interrupting; or reach out to friends, family, or neighbors to inquire about their well-being.
Being kind is good for the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. “Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood,” wrote Dr. Steve Siegle, a licensed professional counselor in psychiatry and psychology.
“(Kindness) can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a hormone directly correlated with stress levels,” Dr. Siegle explained. “People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer.”
Kindness is also good for the mind. “Physiologically, kindness can positively change your brain by boosting levels of serotonin and dopamine,” Dr. Siegle wrote. “These neurotransmitters produce feelings of satisfaction and well-being and cause the pleasure and reward centers in your brain to light up. Endorphins, your body’s natural painkiller, also may be released when you show kindness.”
Dr. David R Hamilton, an author of twelve books, asserts that performing acts of kindness by assisting others diminishes inflammation. He has referenced several studies indicating that kindness towards others induces genetic changes in immune cells.
He explains that kindness transcends mere actions; it encompasses an experience that affects not only the giver but also the recipient, and even those who witness or hear about the act. “This experience produces significantly important effects in your brain and throughout your body,” he said.
A study conducted in 2022 by researchers from The University of California, Riverside, and the University of California, Los Angeles, involved approximately 182 participants divided into three groups.
The researchers instructed one group to perform three acts of kindness for others on one designated day each week for four weeks. Another group was asked to engage in three kind acts for themselves on one day each week for the same duration. The third group was simply requested to document their daily activities on one day of the week over four weeks for comparison purposes.
Blood samples were collected from the participants at the start of the study and again one week after the four-week period. The findings revealed that acts of kindness towards others influenced the genetic activity in circulating immune cells (leukocytes – white blood cells) present in the bloodstream.
Specifically, there was a decrease in the activity of a group of genes referred to as CTRA (Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity). A conserved transcriptional response to adversity generally indicates heightened inflammation and diminished innate antiviral activity.
The reduced activity in these CTRA genes, according to the researchers, signifies a decrease in inflammation and an enhancement of natural antiviral responses.
“Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see,” stated Mark Twain. Lao Tzu also noted, “Kindness in words fosters confidence. Kindness in thought cultivates depth. Kindness in giving generates love.”
Amelia Earhart remarked, “A single act of kindness sends roots in all directions, and these roots grow into new trees.”
Here are several ways to extend kindness to others:
Offer compliments: Let a friend or colleague know you appreciate their work or attire.
Provide assistance: Help someone with their groceries, household chores, or a challenging task.
Practice active listening: Give your undivided attention when a friend wishes to converse.
Share your resources: Donate food, treats, or unused items to those in need.
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