Kindness is Contagious

[Brihaha]

Is Kindness Contagious? The Impact of Kindness - NOAH

Being kind to others is known to have a lasting effect on our health. But have you heard that kindness is contagious? That’s because it is!

noahhelps.org

Lately I have been noticing this phenomenon. If I wake up and decide to have a positive outlook on life my day is happy and productive. If I am kind and polite to people they seem to reciprocate. The more I try to love others the better results I see in my own life. I truly wish more folks would give kindness a chance to shine and spread happiness to others. Unfortunately it appears many people are not capable of choosing kindness. Or happiness.

I am learning to accentuate the positives and stop dwelling on the pessimistic aspects of my mortal shortcomings. Society seems to benefit when we stress the positives in life and stop wallowing in our mire of negativity.

A young lady recently paid for my merchandise at the store when I noticed I had forgotten the items while walking out the door. She insisted I let her take care of it so I wouldn't have to stand in line at checkout again. It compelled me to pay the act of kindness forward to someone else. I was inspired. It feels good for both the giver and the given.

Anyone else ever notice this return on investment for being kind to others? Do you agree with the premise of the article, that kindness can be contagious?

 

[Tropical Wilds]

I have no opinion, other than that I have learned that kindness is great, but boundaries are better. I really fell prey to the love everybody, kindness first, believe most are intrinsically good, practice forgiveness, people-pleasing, toxic positivity thing from like 2016 through January of 2021.

Now, looking back, I’d tell myself “be kind but be firm in your boundaries and know sometimes you just have to be the (redacted word).” I have untold number of regrets over convincing myself kindness and turning the other cheek and forgiving is the way to go.

 

[Brihaha]

That's an interesting take on the subject. Toxic positivity sounds like an oxymoron to me. I don't quite understand why positivity seems toxic. Nor do I believe setting boundaries precludes one from being kind. I know how to be the (redacted word) real well lol. This never leaves me feeling happy or kind tho. I've felt that momentary satisfaction afterwards but it doesn't last long.

I think there can be multiple views on kindness because some people keep their treasure in heaven. Others are merely concerned with kindness and its effects on their mortal lives here on earth. Even so, kindness can be enjoyed and spread to others living in the flesh.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

Here’s some info on toxic positivity:

Toxic Positivity



And I often felt like being the (redacted) was the easy way out and/or left me feeling guilty. Now, with the gift of hindsight, I have more regret over not being the (redacted) than I do over being the “kind one” in the situation.

The problem with kindness is that it works when the core value of the person you are dealing with is also kindness. Even if they’re being unkind in the moment, the belief that is a bad moment in an otherwise kind person. However, it doesn’t take into account that there are people who do not have innate kindness when dealing with you. That they’re manipulative, toxic, abusive, and use you to self-sabotage and inflict distress on others, and that the best kindness you can show them is by not interacting with them, drawing a firm line that says “no,” and detaching.

Kindness is great, until it exposes you to harm. Then kindness is not the best policy, but a source of danger.

 

[Brihaha]

Here’s some info on toxic positivity:

Toxic Positivity

View attachment 339992

And I often felt like being the (redacted) was the easy way out and/or left me feeling guilty. Now, with the gift of hindsight, I have more regret over not being the (redacted) than I do over being the “kind one” in the situation.

The problem with kindness is that it works when the core value of the person you are dealing with is also kindness. Even if they’re being unkind in the moment, the belief that is a bad moment in an otherwise kind person. However, it doesn’t take into account that there are people who do not have innate kindness when dealing with you. That they’re manipulative, toxic, abusive, and use you to self-sabotage and inflict distress on others, and that the best kindness you can show them is by not interacting with them, drawing a firm line that says “no,” and detaching.

Kindness is great, until it exposes you to harm. Then kindness is not the best policy, but a source of danger.

I will agree that kindness is best shown to toxic people by detaching and not interacting with them. After demonstrating kindness in warning them twice. "Kill them with kindness" is more than merely a well-known saying. Some people believe in blessing those who curse them. As Paul instructs in Romans chapter 12. Evil is overcome with good. Kindness is a virtue of strength. Kindness is choosing love over hate, light over dark, compassion over judgment.

There are disadvantages in being overly kind. You are correct that boundaries get obscured occasionally when we try to please everyone to make them comfortable. We attract needy people when we learn to emanate kindness. And often folks take kind people for granted.

Kindness is merely a sacrifice people choose to help make the world more bearable for each other. Can you imagine how society could benefit if every person tried to help others instead of trying to one-up them for personal benefit? John Lennon wrote a great song about that. Imagine all the people...sharing all the world. You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.

 

[Robban]

Is Kindness Contagious? The Impact of Kindness - NOAH

Being kind to others is known to have a lasting effect on our health. But have you heard that kindness is contagious? That’s because it is!

noahhelps.org

Lately I have been noticing this phenomenon. If I wake up and decide to have a positive outlook on life my day is happy and productive. If I am kind and polite to people they seem to reciprocate. The more I try to love others the better results I see in my own life. I truly wish more folks would give kindness a chance to shine and spread happiness to others. Unfortunately it appears many people are not capable of choosing kindness. Or happiness.

I am learning to accentuate the positives and stop dwelling on the pessimistic aspects of my mortal shortcomings. Society seems to benefit when we stress the positives in life and stop wallowing in our mire of negativity.

A young lady recently paid for my merchandise at the store when I noticed I had forgotten the items while walking out the door. She insisted I let her take care of it so I wouldn't have to stand in line at checkout again. It compelled me to pay the act of kindness forward to someone else. I was inspired. It feels good for both the giver and the given.

Anyone else ever notice this return on investment for being kind to others? Do you agree with the premise of the article, that kindness can be contagious?

"Test me" the only time we are invited to test God,
Malachi.
Giving charity.

 

[Brihaha]

Practice the art of kindness

Kindness is a quality of being. Try a few easy ways to boost your kindness and enjoy the benefits of a longer, healthier life.

www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org

It shouldn't surprise me how few people are willing to even discuss showing kindness. Displays of kindness also seem elusive in society today. Here's a quote from the Dalai Lama.

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."

 

[Robban]

I have no opinion, other than that I have learned that kindness is great, but boundaries are better. I really fell prey to the love everybody, kindness first, believe most are intrinsically good, practice forgiveness, people-pleasing, toxic positivity thing from like 2016 through January of 2021.

Now, looking back, I’d tell myself “be kind but be firm in your boundaries and know sometimes you just have to be the (redacted word).” I have untold number of regrets over convincing myself kindness and turning the other cheek and forgiving is the way to go.

It is not only in the sea there are sharks.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

I will agree that kindness is best shown to toxic people by detaching and not interacting with them. After demonstrating kindness in warning them twice. "Kill them with kindness" is more than merely a well-known saying. Some people believe in blessing those who curse them. As Paul instructs in Romans chapter 12. Evil is overcome with good. Kindness is a virtue of strength. Kindness is choosing love over hate, light over dark, compassion over judgment.

There are disadvantages in being overly kind. You are correct that boundaries get obscured occasionally when we try to please everyone to make them comfortable. We attract needy people when we learn to emanate kindness. And often folks take kind people for granted.

Kindness is merely a sacrifice people choose to help make the world more bearable for each other. Can you imagine how society could benefit if every person tried to help others instead of trying to one-up them for personal benefit? John Lennon wrote a great song about that. Imagine all the people...sharing all the world. You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.

John Lennon was also murdered by an autograph seeker because he knew Lennon always wanted to be available to fans, leveraging that kindness to murder him.

I just think kindness is all well and good, and in a perfect world a desirable way to be. In the real world, where the city of Chicago warns the phrase most likely uttered by muggers is “can you help me?,” people like Ted Bundy fake infirmity to convince people to help him so he can murder them, and the most common ruse in home invasions is to ask to use a phone, it’s not realistic. Don’t get me wrong, I envy the naïvety that comes with truly believing that kindness is possible in all situations, the answer to everything, and the admirable choice.

But having been around the block a few times, it’s not me. It’s hard to say kindness is key and kill them with kindness when one can point to scenarios where unkindness would have been the kinder approach. I think it’s a great sound bite, but an oversimplification that has limited real-world application.

 

[Pommer]

John Lennon was also murdered by an autograph seeker because he knew Lennon always wanted to be available to fans, leveraging that kindness to murder him.

I just think kindness is all well and good, and in a perfect world a desirable way to be. In the real world, where the city of Chicago warns the phrase most likely uttered by muggers is “can you help me?,” people like Ted Bundy fake infirmity to convince people to help him so he can murder them, and the most common ruse in home invasions is to ask to use a phone, it’s not realistic. Don’t get me wrong, I envy the naïvety that comes with truly believing that kindness is possible in all situations, the answer to everything, and the admirable choice.

But having been around the block a few times, it’s not me. It’s hard to say kindness is key and kill them with kindness when one can point to scenarios where unkindness would have been the kinder approach. I think it’s a great sound bite, but an oversimplification that has limited real-world application.

A couple more posts like this cheery one and we can shut this thread down, but good!
I’ve been out shopping during this post-thanksgiving week and though it’s been crazy busy, everyone seems to still be of good cheer and the “shortness” of the past few years seems lessened.

 

[Brihaha]

Don’t get me wrong, I envy the naïvety that comes with truly believing that kindness is possible in all situations, the answer to everything, and the admirable choice.

But having been around the block a few times, it’s not me. It’s hard to say kindness is key and kill them with kindness when one can point to scenarios where unkindness would have been the kinder approach. I think it’s a great sound bite, but an oversimplification that has limited real-world application.

I think kindness comes from the spirit of love rather than naivety. The only thing limiting its real world application is the individuals who refuse to offer kindness. It isn't always easy to be kind to mean, pessimistic folks.

Nobody says kindness is the answer to everything. It is simply a tool that can bring us closer to one another and closer to God. I enjoy the positives this life has to offer. Kindness is definitely one of them.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

I enjoy the positives life has to offer too. I still lock my car.

 

[Brihaha]

I enjoy the positives life has to offer too. I still lock my car.

I am grateful I don't need to lock my car. We don't even need to lock our house. If someone comes in I will likely offer them some coffee and whatever they need. I doubt we have anything they want tho. Folks aren't so courageous when they have to travel 200 yards to the home from the road. Especially when you have dogs. I'm sure the laziness of thieves helps us avoid this too haha.

 

[jacks]

I definitely find kindness to be contagious. I've found when I give a small, friendly smile to a stranger, almost always they will give a friendly smile back. You have instantly established a small positive bound, plus you have probable made them feel a bit better about their day.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Kindness is contagious, that's why I always start a "pay it forward" movement in the Starbucks drive-thru, and then circle back around to the end of the line and order something way more expensive.


Okay...I stole that from this meme, but I still makes me laugh when I see it.

 

[Brihaha]

Kindness is contagious, that's why I always start a "pay it forward" movement in the Starbucks drive-thru, and then circle back around to the end of the line and order something way more expensive.


Okay...I stole that from this meme, but I still makes me laugh when I see it.

View attachment 340329

Yeah, I am sure there are people who do stuff like that. Even some who drive new Lincolns around town lol. Sounds like something my kids would have concocted back in their teens.

 

[durangodawood]

I have no opinion, other than that I have learned that kindness is great, but boundaries are better. I really fell prey to the love everybody, kindness first, believe most are intrinsically good, practice forgiveness, people-pleasing, toxic positivity thing from like 2016 through January of 2021.

Now, looking back, I’d tell myself “be kind but be firm in your boundaries and know sometimes you just have to be the (redacted word).” I have untold number of regrets over convincing myself kindness and turning the other cheek and forgiving is the way to go.

I dont see kindness and boundaries as opposed. Theres nothing kind about letting another person walk all over you. In fact its the opposite.

In America today I do think we could stand to take kindness a bit more seriously. And I also agree that when wisely applied, the benefits of kindness come back to you amplified.

 

[MehGuy]

I'll be kind to someone if they are kind to me. Even if they're not and I find them annoying I'll be kind to them (not really heartfelt) just to get them off my back.

Overall though.. in this political climate I don't think it's wise to be kind to those who are not kind to me. Otherwise I'm just part of the problem in the setting of new bad presidents.

 

[MehGuy]

I'll be kind to someone if they are kind to me. Even if they're not and I find them annoying I'll be kind to them (not really heartfelt) just to get them off my back.

Overall though.. in this political climate I don't think it's wise to be kind to those who are not kind to me. Otherwise I'm just part of the problem in the setting of new bad presidents.

At least as far as the contagious of kindness goes.. my point about not being actually heartfelt. That's the reality that much of the kindness displayed by others isn't actually heartfelt (or even just to lesser degrees) and that we all know this uncertainty deep down. Probably a major reason kindness often doesn't take hold in the long run.

 

[Robban]

At least as far as the contagious of kindness goes.. my point about not being actually heartfelt. That's the reality that much of the kindness displayed by others isn't actually heartfelt (or even just to lesser degrees) and that we all know this uncertainty deep down. Probably a major reason kindness often doesn't take hold in the long run.

To wake up in the morning and see a world in perfect balance,

One deed of goodness and kindness will tip the scale to better.

There is that to consider.

As good a reason as any to the purpose with life.