Being kind to others can sometimes be done indirectly. Have you ever stopped to think of the problems that litter in the streets create?

• Plastic can holders can choke
• Fishing line can strangle animals – especially birds
• Broken glass bottles can cut
• Balloons and plastic bags can kill children and small animals
• Cans can trap

In addition, it can help spread bacteria;attract vermin & rodents to our suburbs; and it creates a visually unappealing cityscape for visitors.

So next time you’re strolling down your street, pick up that empty can and carry it out to the next bin. If you’re worried about getting bacteria in your hands, you can carry disposable gloves with you; a small bottle of antibacterial hand-gel (you can get those at most chemists); or simply wash your hands soon after you dispose of the rubbish.

Yes, I am blatantly borrowing the title of a very interesting article by Ben Dean, a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania who specialises in “Positive Psychology“. The article explores the reasons why people behave in an altruistic way. In other words, it argues the points for and against regularly performing Random Acts of Kindness.

In a very balanced manner, Dr Dean explores first the cynical view about altruism. Namely, that we carry out Good Deeds because it helps us feel better; because it gains us social and personal rewards; or simply because of social pressure.

He then continues on to present the results of research where doing the right thing and act selflessly was harder than not. The results of the research are not surprising: people still chose to act with kindness, even when there were significant negative impacts on their lives.

What I liked the most about the article is that it closes by presenting the results of research conducted by Sonja Lyubomirsky, a Professor of Psychology at Stanford and one of Positive Psychology’s leading lights. Her research confirmed that completing five RAKs every day has a significant and positive impact in our levels of positive emotion.

If you want to learn a bit more about Dr. Lyubomirsky’s research, I suggest you go to the article Dr Dean wrote, or to her own web page (Links at the bottom of this writing). On the other hand, if you like the idea of committing 5 RAKs per day, why not print some PIF cards and start today? You have my permission to download and print your own cards (go here)

Dr Ben Dean’s article on ‘Kindness and the case for altruism’:
http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/newsletter.aspx?id=70

Dr Soja Lyubomirsky’s web page:
http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~sonja/

It really is within your hands. Bring your angel within to live amongst us; and make the world a better place, one Random Act of Kindnesss at a time.

This year, I received a hamper from a friend as a Christmas present. I loved the gift, because I didn’t really need the food, and it gave me a wonderful opportunity to Pass it forward. These are some ideas of what you could do with it:

• Give it to the cleaners / security guards / waitresses of your workplace / favourite coffee shop
• Open it up and give every item as a small present to a stranger on the street. Make sure you add a Christmas card (and if you’re daring, a PIF card)
• Prove to yourself you can be kind to those you don’t like by giving it to an unlikeable colleague or acquaintance
• Walk a street in your town where homeless people often stroll or stay asking for charity; open the hamper, and start offering ‘one thing of your choice’ to every homeless person you come across
• Go to the local nursing home and leave as a surprise present to the resident who never gets visited by anyone
• Visit your church (or preferred charity) and offer it for a fund-raising raffle
• Give it to your Mum