No act of kindness
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted
The word kindness generally means being generous and considerate. Kindness can mean different things to different people. The meaning is in how you choose to show it. Be it through empathy, acceptance, kind gestures, thoughtfulness, the possibilities are entirely up to you. Kindness might look like being helpful or showing empathy. It may mean doing nice things without expecting nice things in return. In the society we are living today, kindness is necessary due to interaction with other people of the society. Almost any volunteer work would fall under this category. You would be helping those least able to help themselves, much less help you. Unless, of course, you consider the warm feeling you get from helping someone else as a form of repayment, or their heartfelt thanks. That’s worth something, but you expect nothing in return. Kindness has many of its benefits and rewards as discussed below in this paper.
To start with, kindness helps others feel good-Studies have found that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of wellbeing. Helping others can also improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active. This, in turn, can improve our self-esteem. There is some evidence to suggest that when we help others, it can promote changes in the brain and the functioning of the brain that are linked with happiness (Chamelin & Thomas, 2009). When someone becomes happy, the mind relaxes from the toxic processes it might have encountered throughout the day
Secondly, it creates a sense of belonging and reduces isolation. Isolation results as a result of one feeling unwanted in the society. Helping others is thought to be one of the ways that people create, maintain, and strengthen their social connections, networking and sprouting of kindness (Rokach, A. 2017). For example, volunteering and helping others can help us feel a sense of belonging, make new friends, and connect with our communities.
Kindness helps keep things in perspective. Many people don’t realize the impact a different perspective can have on their outlook on life. There is some evidence that being aware of our own acts of kindness, as well as the things we are grateful for, can increase feelings of happiness, optimism and satisfaction. Doing good may help you to have a more positive outlook about your own circumstances.
Kindness helps to make the world a happier place – one act of kindness can often lead to more. Acts of kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place. This is made by spreading kindness to all members of the society. An act of kindness can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness and optimism (Haskins, G. 2022). It may also encourage others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced themselves – contributing to a more positive community.
Last but not the least, the more you do for others, the more you do for yourself . The benefits of helping others can last long after the act itself, for those offering kindness, and those who benefit. This, in turn, can improve our self-esteem. Acts of kindness can give us all a real boost. They are never wasted. Nonetheless, until recently, kindness has seldom been mentioned as a leadership trait, not discussed in leadership development programs. This paper has discussed what kindness is and the positive role that it can play in organizations and individuals in the society. It has looked at the leadership traits of kind leaders and the positive impact that an emphasis on kindness can have on organizational commitment and performance. It is a calling for all of us to make kindness integral to our values and philosophy in order to go for forward.
References
- Lesniak, R. (2022). Cultivating Justice in the Garden State. In Cultivating Justice in the Garden State. Rutgers University Press.
- Rokach, A. (2017). About volunteerism.
- Haskins, G. (2022). Mastering the power of kindness. In Mastering the Power of You (pp. 74-87). Routledge.
- Kollias, O. (2015). Anthropomorphism, Aesop’s Fables and Their Use in Lifelong Learning and Vocational Training by Awakening Participants’ Memes. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 15(2).