The Ripple Effect Of Kindness

 By: Paula Short

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12— NLT

Picture this, you're having a rotten day and just getting ready to leave the grocery store. Suddenly a stranger smiles, says hello, and asks if you need help loading your car. It was just a little act of kindness, but do you remember how you felt? 

Small actions often lead to a ripple effect. One small expression can change the life of someone who then shows kindness to someone else, Fostering a cycle that continues and grows.

It doesn't matter how big or small your kindness is; it's likely to have an influence on your own mental health too. I read an article once that said psychologists and researchers found that the smallest acts of kindness can create a ricochet effect and feel rejuvenating to the receiver's psyche and your own.

Showing kindness can make a change in two ways; first, they are an incentive and inspiration for others, causing them to show their own small kindnesses, and second, they have a contagious effect on others. In other words, when we show kindness, other people see them, inspiring more compassion. 

Here are eight ways showing kindness can have an impact.

1. Pay it forward, and leave a quarter in the slot of a shopping cart at Aldi's or another store.
2. Take a flower bouquet to the front desk of places like hospices, nursing homes, and senior centers.
3. Take a hot meal to a neighbor or elderly friend.
4. Leave snacks in the breakroom.
5. Donate clothes and books, especially any children's books your thinking of parting with.
6. Smile and say hello to strangers at the grocery store.
7. Invite a lonely friend to dinner. 
8. Donate your hair to cancer patients. (You need to have a certain amount of hair to donate. (Check out Locks of Love for details.)

Each small act is observed and passed along to another, making it grow into a big act. In whatever way you choose, each little act of kindness can have a significant impact on the life of someone. You may never know how you touched someone, and that's okay, too, because God does.

Reflection

Can you think of a time someone showed kindness to you? How did it make you feel?