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Aryanna Garcia

Discussion 9 - Aryanna Garcia

COLLAPSE

It is easy to get caught up in everyday life and lose sight of the simple yet profound impact that acts of kindness can have on both others and ourselves. This week, I made a conscious effort to break away from the norm and embrace the power of compassion. In the spirit of making a positive impact, I performed three acts of kindness that not only made others around me smile but also had a beneficial influence on me.

Act 1: At a local caf, I purchased a stranger's coffee. When the barista told them about the surprise treat, the person's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. It's a classic pay-it-forward act, and the happiness is contagious.

Act 2: I left a positive note on a coworker's desk. They found it and there was a noticeable shift from the boring workplace routine to a genuine smile. Even a tiny message can have the potential to brighten someone's day.

Act 3: I held the door open for someone entering a store. It's a simple act, but the stranger's smile and "thank you" formed an instant sense of gratitude and positivity.

Not only did these acts appear to be appreciated by others, but there was also this positive feedback cycle. The happiness on their face echoed the feelings of positivity I felt inside. Helping others is a two-way street of enjoyment, according to research on prosocial behavior.

According to research, doing acts of kindness releases oxytocin, the "feel-good" hormone. It promotes social interaction and well-being. This can be observed in these ordinary interactionsthe shared smiles and the nods of appreciationthey foster a feeling of community and serve as a reminder that kindness is a universal language. These modest acts of kindness not only brightened the days of others but also caused a positive ripple effect, adding to the interconnected web of well-being and social bonds.

Kassin, S. M., Fein, S., Markus, H. R., & Brehm, S. S. (2021). Social Psychology (11th edition). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-0357122846