Throughout history, kindness has been a virtue that all people can appreciate. As Mark Twain said,

“Kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear.”

The Evolution of Researching Kindness

Between 1900 and 1980, only 35 papers touched on kindness in psychology journals, leaving it largely unexplored. In the past decade, over 1,000 papers have explored its nuances. Science now recognizes the significance of this behavior on the human experience, specifically the impact and benefits of deliberate acts of kindness.

Understanding Deliberate Acts of Kindness

What is a deliberate act of kindness? It is any type of behavior marked by generosity, consideration, or concern for others without expecting anything in return. These are any small, intentional actions we take to help another. The list of ways that we can be deliberately kind is endless.

Smile at a stranger, say good morning, offer your assistance, thank a coworker, give up your seat, allow someone to merge in traffic, listen with empathy, or give someone a genuine compliment. For example, I recently told the woman........

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