It came as a surprise. Last fall I told my next-door neighbour that it was time to get a snow blower--it was getting too hard for me to shovel off my driveway after heavy snowstorms. Shortly afterwards, Don sent emails with links to sales items on both a snow blower and a heavy duty electric cord.
After I purchased both the snow blower and cord, he helped me assemble and test it. Then when we got a heavy snowstorm, he walked over to see how my blower was working and even volunteered to finish clearing my driveway. His eagerness to help must have given him an emotional boost. It gave me a lift too.
While I was drafting this post, (co-incidentally handwriting with my pen inscribed with “Be kind”), I discovered a relevant article on small acts of kindness. In her book, Conversations with Kindness, British author Bernadette Russell tells how her life changed when at the post office she gave money to a young man who couldn't pay for a stamp. “It made me think about how maybe some people are more likely to receive kindness than others and how one way to respond to unkindness is with kindness.” This began a daily practice for a year--leaving a bookmark with a kind message inside a book in a thrift shop, showing tourists the way to a train platform, helping an elderly man struggle with his bags.
She was surprised to discover how much she noticed other people being kind. There was another side-effect, too: “I started becoming aware of how often I received kindness – which was often.” She believes that people who are treated with love, kindness, forgiveness and compassion can change. “I think [kindness] has truly radical, world-changing and life-changing power,” she said.
Her story points out that we often feel uplifted when we do small things for other people. Why is that?
Research has shown that our brain releases dopamine, giving us a warm feeling of euphoria when we do something kind for others. But the good feeling doesn't last. To be most effective, acts of kindness need to be repeated frequently, as Bernadette Russell discovered.
Perhaps this is why as writers, we sometimes feel euphoric when we write what is inspiring.
When we know that our words will go out to others.
When we know that our words ring true for the benefit of others.
Even when we don’t know where our words will land, or with whom.
As I write this post, I’ve been greatly challenged to add more small acts of kindness to my life. It’s also caused me to think of more ways to incorporate kindnesses into my writing.
I’m reminded of what the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:10: "We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works." Showing kindness is part of those good works. It reflects the reality of how Christ is in us.
Let's make kindness a habit, both in our daily lives and in our writing. If we do, we’ll not only get that endorphin lift, but we’ll also be doing a small part of what God intends for us.
After I purchased both the snow blower and cord, he helped me assemble and test it. Then when we got a heavy snowstorm, he walked over to see how my blower was working and even volunteered to finish clearing my driveway. His eagerness to help must have given him an emotional boost. It gave me a lift too.
While I was drafting this post, (co-incidentally handwriting with my pen inscribed with “Be kind”), I discovered a relevant article on small acts of kindness. In her book, Conversations with Kindness, British author Bernadette Russell tells how her life changed when at the post office she gave money to a young man who couldn't pay for a stamp. “It made me think about how maybe some people are more likely to receive kindness than others and how one way to respond to unkindness is with kindness.” This began a daily practice for a year--leaving a bookmark with a kind message inside a book in a thrift shop, showing tourists the way to a train platform, helping an elderly man struggle with his bags.
She was surprised to discover how much she noticed other people being kind. There was another side-effect, too: “I started becoming aware of how often I received kindness – which was often.” She believes that people who are treated with love, kindness, forgiveness and compassion can change. “I think [kindness] has truly radical, world-changing and life-changing power,” she said.
Her story points out that we often feel uplifted when we do small things for other people. Why is that?
Research has shown that our brain releases dopamine, giving us a warm feeling of euphoria when we do something kind for others. But the good feeling doesn't last. To be most effective, acts of kindness need to be repeated frequently, as Bernadette Russell discovered.
~ ~
Perhaps this is why as writers, we sometimes feel euphoric when we write what is inspiring.
When we know that our words will go out to others.
When we know that our words ring true for the benefit of others.
Even when we don’t know where our words will land, or with whom.
As I write this post, I’ve been greatly challenged to add more small acts of kindness to my life. It’s also caused me to think of more ways to incorporate kindnesses into my writing.
I’m reminded of what the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:10: "We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works." Showing kindness is part of those good works. It reflects the reality of how Christ is in us.
Let's make kindness a habit, both in our daily lives and in our writing. If we do, we’ll not only get that endorphin lift, but we’ll also be doing a small part of what God intends for us.
Donna Ferguson, "Rewind and be Kind: What happens if you do one act of kindness every day?" Accessed March 30, 2025.
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