How of Happiness: Post#6--Kindness

Practice Kindness: Doing good for others
a.    Why kindness matters: It impacts significantly on self-image and meaningfulness in life. Studies on women with MS who acted as peer coaches to other MS women were happier, more self-confident, and had a sense of mastery. In fact, the positive income they got was even greater than those they mentored.
b.    How to practice kindness: Say “yes” to people. Start from “Yes” and not from “No.” In his writings, famed marriage psychologist John Gottman stresses this technique. Timing—the author suggests that you need to not over- or under-do kindness. Often picking one day a week where you do one big thing or 3-5 small acts of kindness has an impact without being either over or underwhelming to you. Kindness has a ripple effect. Let someone into line in tough traffic and watch him or her do the same.