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We all know that being on the receiving end of generosity feels good, but did you know that studies show that we feel happier when we perform acts of kindness to not just out friends and families but for our communities as well. A study called Kindness Counts, done by University of British Columbia and the University of California, Riverside, observed 9-11-year olds for a month and had them record three acts of kindness per week. The report showed that performing these acts led to an increase in feelings of satisfaction.

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Final score:

517points

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Donna Cheung 5 years ago

"fed me grapes". That's such a Chinese grandma thing to do! (I'm Chinese, so I know..)

16points

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Final score:

487points

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Ruby Brook 5 years ago

Wow. I swear that man must be some kind of superhero in disguise...

123points

Nice guys finish last is the saying but according to various studies they actually finish first. In a New York Times op-ed, contributor David Brooks looked at several studies about how evolution of the human involved our temperate. Unlike our primate relatives humans have evolved from a selfish nature into a cooperative one that allows for more harmonious communities.

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Final score:

473points

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Rhea Hambum 5 years ago

Hell Yeah!!

92points

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Final score:

465points

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Dani 5 years ago

This is beyond kind...

8points

It's all in your head. "In one essay, Keltner cites the work of the Emory Universityneuroscientists James Rilling and Gregory Berns. They found that the act of helping another person triggers activity in the caudate nucleus and anterior cingulate cortex regions of the brain, the parts involved in pleasure and reward. That is, serving others may produce the same sort of pleasure as gratifying a personal desire," writes David Brooks.

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Final score:

444points

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Agnes Jekyll 5 years ago

She did absolutely the right thing. She saw something was wrong and she helped you out--so many people don't recognize it or don't know what to do so they don't do anything.

20points

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Final score:

432points

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Ruby Brook 5 years ago

That's so sweet. I love the way they just gave up their coats to help someone they didn't even know in the middle of winter! <3

84points

According to Dr. Ritchie Davidson , University of Wisconsin kindness is a teachable trait, "It’s kind of like weight training, we found that people can actually build up their compassion ‘muscle’ and respond to others’ suffering with care and a desire to help.”

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Final score:

408points

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KarmaQueen 5 years ago

How sad. Those little things in life that people can do can make all of the difference in someone elses life.

5points

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Final score:

406points

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Gëë Bëë 5 years ago

"Are you ok?" is a life saving question. If you see someone who is clearly desperate, just asking them that question could be enough to interrupt their dark thoughts for just long enough for them to see the light.

144points

Why do wholesome twitter threads about acts of kindness make us feel all warm inside? Well witnessing an act of kindness makes the body produce oxytocin also known as the 'love hormone.' Oxytocin can increase self-esteem and optimism as well as lower your blood pressure and overall heart-rate.

#10

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Final score:

383points

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GoodWolf 5 years ago

It was awesome :D

73points

#11

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Final score:

379points

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therealpixie 5 years ago

You can also roll up a bill and slip it to them, or into their pocket if you feel like they won't take it. Also, you can spot people in the aisles (especially in Walmart) with kids in the cart. This has been a hobby of mine for many years. Also, I'm on a campaign to get EVERYbody to tip in the drive thru line. Once a young man told me he had saved my tips to buy his son's Christmas. There is nothing you can buy for yourself that will make you as happy. I can promise you that.

15points

In 2010 Harvard Business School conducted a survey of happiness 136 countries that found people who were all around altruistic: generous with their finances to charitable donations for example were overall happier.

#12

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Final score:

372points

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Sara-Jane Keenan 5 years ago

I'm glad to hear that she's still here to tell her story! Sending love

5points

#13

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Final score:

367points

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Anime nerd 5 years ago

My brother has panic attacks and if u see someone having one don’t stair ask if they’re ok plz

96points

Author of “Raising Happiness; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents”, Christine Carter, writes generosity can increase your lifespan,“People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church.”

#14

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Final score:

359points

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Ines 5 years ago

"honked again to apologize" cracked me up

150points

#15

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Final score:

339points

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SirWriteALot 5 years ago

"sharply" ... arabic sounds sharp, even if they say nice things :) Just like german :)

167points

#16

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Final score:

310points

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Pumbaa 5 years ago

I don't get how you can hate a mother and a child in misfortune.. It's a crappy situation for everyone but the others aren't covered in puke while waiting!

6points

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#25

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Final score:

252points

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Ruby Brook 5 years ago

I love that they let the dog out! So heartwarming to know that there are still good people in the world

83points

#26

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Final score:

248points

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Jade Lorreni 5 years ago

That’s so sweet

47points

#27

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Final score:

240points

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Agnes Jekyll 5 years ago

That's wonderful.

33points

#28

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Final score:

237points

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Kjorn 5 years ago

it's better than whistle

91points

#29

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Final score:

235points

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KarmaQueen 5 years ago

Shows even at 17 we are still young and need our mothers.

72points

#30

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Final score:

228points

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GoodWolf 5 years ago

Ugh I remember comments like that. No, no twins. Yes, only one baby. Yes, I'm sure. And yes, my belly is huge, thank you for noticing.

80points

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What do you think ?

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Anna Phoenix 5 years ago

These are wonderful... Once upon a time, I was sitting at a park, crying my eyes out. My father had just told me that he was about to get married - he had left my mum a few years before, but I knew she still hoped to get him back (even though he was the a*****e and a cheater). How was I to tell her that he was now marrying a woman he had met 3 months ago? Not even the b***h he had left us for? A lady in her early sixties came to me and asked to sit on my bench. She smiled and said, "I don't know what it is that made you feel so bad, but remember, all things pass and all wounds heal." She sat with me for good 30 minutes, asked about my story and shared hers - she was a cancer patient in recovery, breast cancer. She said "I think I was just like you, worrying too much about others, taking things too much to my heart, that was the cause. Remember that other people are their own resonsibility. You need to care about Yourself first." she even gave me her number if I needed to talk again.

46points

Anna Phoenix 5 years ago

I try to remember her advice and on her behalf try even more to be there should a stranger need a helping hand...

21points

Carol Emory 5 years ago (edited)

My mother-in-law had a similar experience with her husband. He beat her up on a regular basis, ruined her relationship with her parents and then left her for another woman. The sad part about it is he left her with two small boys and pregnant with a third. She was running out the door after him begging him not to leave because she wasn't sure she could survive alone. Weeks later and he returned..AND SHE LET HIM COME BACK. When he left the second time, she went back to school, got a degree in mathematics and teaching. So when he tried to return..she told him where he could go... Years later, when I showed up married to her oldest son, I got to see the finished product of a very strong independent woman that raised three wonderful boys into very respectful and loving men. She passed in 2014 and I miss her everyday.

7points

Ruth Mayfly 5 years ago

Wow. I hope that your mum now knows she deserves to be treated better than that. Your dad does not sound like a good person to be in a relationship with.

3points

Foxyloxylou 5 years ago

reading this almost made me cry thats so sweet

1point

Brandy McKay 5 years ago

I left my extremely abusive (now ex) husband and was suddenly the single mother of an 8 month old and a 2 year old. I was young (22) and worried about how I was gonna survive. I had to leave town with nothing when my husband started lurking around my house at night with a knife and making me lose my job by showing up just to stare at me. He even suddenly appeared when I ran out of gas on the freeway late at night once. So, I moved in with my flaky sister a few hours away to pretty much hide out. I hadn't worked in years (until I kicked him out) since i was a stay at home mom so my job history sucked and I had trouble finding work in my new town. I was at a really low point and dealing with depression unmedicated because he cancelled my insurance. When I say low, I mean REALLY DARKLY LOW. But, I took the last bit of money I had and went to a relatively expensive buffet for Mother's Day. I wanted to try to cheer myself up & distract my girls from the recent upheaval in their lives. I dont know if they could tell I was going through a lot or were just nice people. An older couple at a nearby table paid for my check (with a generous tip) and had the waitress give me a note saying "You're doing a great job! Keep being the great mom you are. Happy Mother's Day!" I cried in my car and immediately worked my butt off to protect my kids & fix my life. That couple will never know that little note and act of kindness encouraged me to change my life for my girls. ♡ I wish I could thank them.

25points

DearOptimists 5 years ago

I hope life's working out for you and your kids. You're absolutely amazing, without a doubt.

6points

@thenameismoon 5 years ago

I am a divorced father to a 4 year old who is the light of my life. I have a very strong bond with the little guy, and try my best to experience the world with him in a way that opens up his horizons. I recently took him on a short cruise on a boat in Dubai Marina. And as is typical of a 4 year old, he asked about a million questions (all of which I patiently endeavored to answer), spilled the water, got ice cream all over himself and me. By the end of the cruise, an elderly Italian lady who barely spoke any English came up to me and said: "You are a great father". These are the best words I have ever heard, and every time I am with him, I remind myself that today, I want to live up to them. IMG_8416-5...40d0fb.jpg

25points

Richard Murray 5 years ago

As another single father (to a teen girl) somebody just acknowledging the work you are doing to be a good parent can make a huge difference. Good for you, man.

5points

DearOptimists 5 years ago

Aww, you both look so happy and full of life. You sound like an awesome dad!

4points

Luisa Vasconcelos 5 years ago

You seems to be a great father. I almost could feel the love and proud reading your story. He is a awesome boy.

0points

Stina Kolling 5 years ago

He looks so happy. You are doing a great job. <3

0points

Tjler 5 years ago

If a person is the light of your life you will end up being let down.

-3points

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Anna Phoenix 5 years ago

46points

Anna Phoenix 5 years ago

I try to remember her advice and on her behalf try even more to be there should a stranger need a helping hand...

21points

Carol Emory 5 years ago (edited)

7points

Ruth Mayfly 5 years ago

Wow. I hope that your mum now knows she deserves to be treated better than that. Your dad does not sound like a good person to be in a relationship with.

3points

Foxyloxylou 5 years ago

reading this almost made me cry thats so sweet

1point

Brandy McKay 5 years ago

25points

DearOptimists 5 years ago

I hope life's working out for you and your kids. You're absolutely amazing, without a doubt.

6points

@thenameismoon 5 years ago

25points

Richard Murray 5 years ago

As another single father (to a teen girl) somebody just acknowledging the work you are doing to be a good parent can make a huge difference. Good for you, man.

5points