Kindness is the New Power Move

There has been a great deal of uncertainty and change in recent times. As a teacher of Mindfulness and Stress Reduction classes, both online and in person, I have observed numerous concerns and changes affecting people's lives. It is easy to become overwhelmed by this volatility. Regular practice of mindfulness and meditation can help promote attitudes of kindness, trust, and generosity, even in times of uncertainty and chaos. Research supports the positive outcomes associated with maintaining a regular mindfulness practice. Attitudes such as kindness, generosity, and trust are particularly important to consider as we revisit uncertainty. It serves us well to revisit how one’s perspective and flexibility of thought can be supportive and/or limiting as we navigate the ongoing sea of change.

The 2025 World Happiness Report, produced by the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, indicates that kindness is measurable and is a significant predictor of happiness. The report highlights that observing kindness in one's community provides a greater boost to happiness than the absence of violent crime, mental illness, or having a higher income. Acts of kindness include donating, volunteering, and helping strangers. The study also suggests that perspectives about others' benevolence significantly impact the  well-being of individuals and of communities. An experiment involving lost wallets indicated that people tend to be overly pessimistic about the benevolence of others. One takeaway from the study is that trust and generosity are important tools for longevity and well-being. Trusting in kindness from others is a stronger predictor of happiness than avoiding harm or performing frequent acts of kindness oneself. Trust and generosity aren’t soft skills. Benevolence is a measurable driver of well-being.

I have my own family story that we’ve been telling since 1989 about lost wallets. We were living in Germany that year and agreed to meet my parents in London for vacation. Two days into the holiday, my wallet and purse disappeared. Twelve stressful hours later, the hotel desk let me know that my purse and wallet had been found in an alley near a restaurant we visited. My wallet was returned! We went on to enjoy another few days together. Over the years, we’ve told this story to remind others that good things do happen in the world; there are people in the world committing acts of kindness. This perspective seems particularly pertinent, especially when our minds easily default to “what’s wrong,” “what has gone wrong” and “what might go wrong.”

The researchers’ use of the lost wallet experiment underscores the importance of perspective. A regular mindfulness practice can help individuals develop attitudes of kindness, trust, and generosity. These attitudes drive actions of caring and sharing, fostering trust in the kindness of others. Benevolent acts that contribute to happiness include:

• Sharing meals with others

• Supporting others through social connection

• Engaging in prosocial behaviors like volunteering, donating, and helping strangers.

Consider this challenge and request. Spend time in quiet contemplation to explore your perspectives on kindness. Engage with others to explore their perspectives on kindness. It is beneficial to assess trust in oneself and others, and to recognize automatic patterns regarding beliefs about others' benevolence. Identify acts of kindness that can be implemented in your own life and community. Trust and generosity are tools for longevity, contributing to overall well-being of ourselves and communities. Radical acts of kindness may be actions that transform worry, anger, and negative perspectives into hope and trust.

If you want to explore happiness and benevolence further or desire some support in growing your mindful awareness of the attitudes of trust, kindness and generosity, attend an upcoming program or contact me for some individual mentoring.

• Mindfulness at Emmanuel: April 20th, May 4th, May 18th

• Half Day Mindfulness Retreat at Kindred Wellness in Glen Rock on Saturday, May 31st, 9am-12:30pm ET. More details and registration information are available

• Mindfulness for Children (ages 6-10): Daily, June 2 - 5, 2025, 4pm-5pm ET. For registration, contact laura@vibebehavioralwellness.com

• Individual or Group mentorship to explore practices for increased awareness around perspective and the attitudes of mindfulness.

Please leave a comment about noteworthy acts of kindness—given or received!

May you experience moments of kindness and benevolence,

Karen