“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.”

– Bob Kerrey

Have you ever heard the saying, “The most effective way to heal yourself is through thoughtful gestures?” It’s a popular adage, but not many people know that there’s scientific evidence to support it. You may have also heard that kindness makes you happier and healthier. But what does that mean for you? What kind acts will bring the most joy, and who will benefit the most?

Research has shown that individuals who are kind and empathetic lead happier lives, have better physical and mental health, and develop stronger relationships. Being caring and empathetic can help not only others but also yourself. Almost everyone feels better when someone shows kindness towards them.

Empathy can help in overcoming depression and isolation, fostering healthy relationships, and boosting self-confidence. There are multiple ways to show kindness and empathy to those in need, such as displaying thoughtfulness, being present for them to build trust, recognizing and praising positive changes, helping them address problems, and more.

Let’s explore what philosophy has to offer on this topic.

Never say that people are evil, advises French philosopher Alain de Botton

All you have to do is look for the pain. He meant that instead of just condemning someone for their annoying or terrible behavior, one should try to identify the root cause of the intense emotional pain that might be driving them to act that way. We must always imagine the turmoil, disappointment, worry, and sadness in people who appear aggressive and ‘bad.’

We should strive to show compassion in unexpected situations, especially towards those who tend to annoy us the most. People are almost always not very pleasant when they are in pain. They hurt us because they are hurting themselves somewhere deep within. We can choose not to aggravate the situation any further.

When we allow kindness to transform us from within, its impact can be far-reaching, with endless possibilities.

Kindness is not a new concept; it has been around for a long time

According to Roman philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, kindness is mankind’s “greatest delight.”

From ancient civilizations to modern times, kindness has been celebrated as a fundamental aspect of human nature and a cornerstone of a fulfilling life.

Despite this, kindness has often been viewed with suspicion, especially as modernization took over. To be kind is to be weak and unfocused on success, it is wrongly believed. Kindness is viewed as either a nostalgic throwback to simpler times or, worse, a ruse.

Maybe it is time to make this timeless quality an everyday thing.

Attempt to see a situation from a point of view outside of our own

Laozi considers empathy as one of his three favorite virtues, while the Confucian Analects reference the concept of “ren” or humankind, which involves imagining and understanding people’s perspectives and acting accordingly, in nearly 100 passages.

The Chinese character for “ren” means “mankind” or “generosity” and looks similar to the number two. It signifies that we must value the collective “we” as much as our individual selves to truly understand humanity.

Developing a practice of gratitude will enable you to develop a practice of kindness. One cannot exist without the other.

Kindness  might be your enchanted elixir to a sound, blissful life. This could go from giving a warm smile to somebody, calling up a friend, or helping someone in need. There are several ways big and small to be king.

By paying attention and interacting with the world around us, we can reconnect with what matters and naturally increase our level of happiness. Kindness is innate, but cultivating it takes dedication, hard work, and time. After all, if our society could have used more of anything, it’s #TheKindnessGene that we all have, and sometimes need to rediscover.

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