Kindness of Strangers
Posted by TheGiveInitiative
This week on This American Life, the stories centered around the theme of "Kindness of Strangers". Three of the stories revolved around acts in which generosity and kindness was expressed, and one was an example of severe unkindness between two neighbors.
As demonstrated by the stories, kindness fufills many purposes. It can give us an ego boost, make up for something in our past, or just brighten someone's day. Kindness improves the quality of life for the giver and the receiver.
Not suprisingly, the act of unkindness has the opposite effect. The problem is that it destroys more quickly and deeply than a postitve moment can rebuild. A single act of kindness is usually insufficient to make up for all the negative acts we encounter.
So how do combat this imbalance?
We need to give more and give often. Its the only way to tip the scales in the favor of kindness.
