The Ripple Effect of Kindness
Like ripples created by a pebble dropped into water, acts of kindness can radiate outward from us to other people. When we do an act of kindness, that act inspires others to also do an act of kindness.
A study from 2010 suggests that this influence can extend for multiple periods and move onward up to three degrees of separation (from person to person to person to person). That is powerful!
Another study done a year later in 2011, found that people form new connections with those who show kindness. This creates an incentive for cooperation and leads to substantial, positive changes in how a group of people will think, feel, and act together.
When we are kind, we inspire others to also be kind.
These acts of kindness ripple outwards, touching others lives and inspiring kindness everywhere the wave goes. It feels good to know that our kind acts will continue to inspire others. This good feeling inspires us, in return, to continue spreading love and kindness.
If we want to build a better home, school, community, or world, we can be the catalyst for change – one act at a time! Think about social media accounts (like S.T.A.N.D. – @standandcheerco) dedicated to showing love and acts of good will towards others.
When we read or view those stories, we feel good, and that can inspire us to do good things too. Schools will often have a HOPE week or a KINDNESS week where students are inspired to send kind messages, create posters of hope and encouragement, and treat each other with extra love. The focus on kindness during those weeks builds school spirit, a connected community, and fosters friendships!
I want to invite you to use STAND’s Kindness Notes during this coming month (and anytime in the future) to show kindness to others.
This could mean writing down a compliment, giving them as Valentines, using them as part of giving someone a “heart attack” (sharing lots of notes and paper hearts on their door, locker, or home), or writing a note of hope on them and giving them randomly to strangers.
We have many opportunities each day to be kind, be an upstander, and to have a positive impact on others. I invite you to lead with love and kindness just by sharing! Kindness is like radiating sunshine. Not only do we get to enjoy it, but others around us do too!
RESOURCES:
Dynamic Social Networks Promote Cooperation in Experiment with Humans
The Ripple Effect of Kindness: How One Good Act Multiplies into Many More