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TheScienceofKindnessMary Ann Kirby44 • JANUARY 2021
The day I wrote this, George H.W.Bush, 41st President of the United States,had just been laid to rest. His death, at94-years-old and mere months afterthe death of his beloved wife of 73 years,dominated the news cycle for days.But while President Bush Sr. may havebeen known, politically, for his foreignpolicy, it was his inherent kindness anddeep compassion for others that standsout as what will, likely, define his legacy.I want to be like George.energy pulses through humanity upliftingeveryone in its path! This chain reactionserves a purpose that extends far beyondjust a “feel good” factor. In fact, to fullyunderstand the true impact of a compassionateact, we need to understand thescience of kindness.Yep, kindness involves science.There’s scientific evidence regardingthe impact that it has on both the giverand the receiver. Kindness stimulatesthe production of serotonin in yourkindness and then emulating that samekindness may be the most effective wayto guarantee its continuation. Andwithout a doubt, cultivating kind behaviorin our kids emboldens them to grow intosocially conscious adults who will carryforth the kindness mission.If nothing else, be like you want yourkids to turn out.So in 1989, in his inaugural address,the 41st President of the United Statessaid this: “We cannot hope only to leaveIn a world where you can be anything, be kind . . .The world, and humanity as a whole,feels like it’s under siege these days.Sickness, insults, protests, polar opposition,partisanship, and the epic offensivenature of society, overall, seems to prevailas an overarching theme in the news andon social media. And while I know Ishould probably stay up-to-date oncurrent events, sometimes even theheadline is more than I can bear. I haveto limit the time I spend with media,TV, and internet in particular, and selectonly a few stories to read in full–usuallyreserved for pop culture, cute animalstories, and celebrity news.I’ve become unapologetically illinformed.It’s difficult, if not impossible, toactually measure how a kind gesture fullyimpacts society. What if it’s shared witha stranger? Or on a whim? But each timewe release kindness out into the world,no matter how small, a powerful surge ofbrain–which calms you down andcreates feelings of happiness. And it notonly boosts serotonin in the giver andthe receiver, but everyone else thatwitnesses it!Kindness also causes the release ofendorphins and produces oxytocin whichpromotes social bonding, exerts thatimmediate calming effect, increases trustand generosity, and strengthens theimmune system. It actually minimizesstress because it has been determinedthat compassionate people have 23% lesscortisol in their systems. Cortisol is theinfamous “stress hormone.”With so many benefits, every act ofkindness is a healthy one. It’s a scientificfact!Most humans are born with a naturalsense of compassion–and while it varieswildly from person to person, we’ve allknown people that just seem geneticallyaltruistic. But for the rest of us, observingour children a bigger car, or a biggerbank account. We must hope to givethem a sense of what it means to be aloyal friend, a loving parent, a citizenwho leaves his home and his neighborhoodand his town better than he foundit. What do we want the men and womenwho work with us to say when we are nolonger here? That we were more drivento succeed than anyone around us? Orthat we stopped to ask if a sick child hadgotten better, and stayed a moment,there, to trade a word of friendship.”We possess a powerful ability to choosekindness–and whether it’s random orintentional, free or extravagant, the waywe choose to express it is as unique asour fingerprints. And by adopting amore compassionate mindset full ofintentional actions, we can make theworld a better place, one act of kindnessat a time. lHometown MADISON • 45
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