Thursday, December 9, 2021

Kindness is Power

A casual exploration of what kindness actually is, and how you can easily use it to improve your life and the lives of others.

Let’s start this journey with a little self-talk.

Do you want to be happy?

Yes, right?

Do you want others to be happy?

Probably yes too, right?

Do others want you to be happy?


A little hesitation on that one, huh? Maybe even a no?


Well it’s not true!

Just like you want others to be happy, they want the same for you.

After you read this article, you’ll be motivated to create a small shift to bring more kindness into your life, and the lives of others.


The power of a simple act of kindness is already within you.

Over the last 20 years, researchers have been studying what has been termed “positive psychology,” an analysis of how uplifting emotions like gratitude, love, joy, and inspiration affect our wellbeing and literally improve our lives.

What’s incredible is these emotions are already within us; it’s just a matter of whether or not we take intentional action to express them.

One of the easiest ways to do this is through performing acts of kindness.


So what is kindness anyway?

Kindness simply is a positive action that leaves someone in a better situation than before.

It doesn’t have to be as extravagant as paying for someone’s surgery or spending hours and hours volunteering.

Literally, it can be anything.

A smile. Hold the door open for another. Bring food to someone. Pay for the person in line behind you. Connect with a stranger. Say ‘I love you’ to someone close.

Even treating yourself to a night out, getting a pedicure, or a massage are all acts of kindness.

Yes, that’s right, you can, and should, be kind to yourself too!

So often we hold back from being kind because we don’t know what to do or we don’t think our actions will make an impact, but they do! The research proves this.

What’s important is to just take action no matter how small.

To get you started take a look at some awesome ideas from Kindness.org and the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.


Wow! Kindness is easier than I thought, but what’s the point?

I’m glad you asked, kindness not only benefits others, but it also improves your life as much or more!

The science shows that some of the benefits of kindness are:

• Improved immune system functioning
• Decreased stress levels
• Feelings of meaning and purpose
• A sense of connectedness

Super cool, right?

Check out these awesome cases of kindness in practice.


The Good Cards: The Good Cards is a modern day version of the Pay it Forward movement that uses technology for good. With a mobile app and a physical Good Card, users are able to do good deeds, share their positive stories, and inspire others to join in the action all while being able to track the ripple effect of kindness that happens around the world in a fun and meaningful way.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Nowadays in schools, a shift in our standardized education has started to incorporate more curricula that addresses emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and positive psychology. By doing this, we are creating micro-habits of kindness with our youth; empowering them to not only be the leaders of tomorrow, but to be the ‘Kindness Leaders of tomorrow.’

Rotary International: In over 35,000 communities around the world, Rotary has created a space for neighbors to come together and help their communities flourish. Whether it’s raising funds for a local not-for-profit, doing an environmental cleanup, or engaging students in service learning, Rotary is empowering people globally to be a force for good.

Okay, I’m ready to put kindness into ACTION!

You’re all set.

Now you can see how powerful kindness actually is and how simple it is to do.

Once you start, you’ll create a ripple effect that’ll inspire people all around you to spread kindness too.

Remember with The Good Cards you’ll be able to track that impact as you inspires kindness around the world.

Don’t be shy, share with us, what’s one kind act you plan to do today?





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Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Milk of human kindness: Tokoroa mum who breastfed stranger's baby remembers not getting a feed every day

 A story from the Waikato Times by Sharmae Hope, November 8, 2021


Piripono Brown’s only gripe after offering her breast to a stranger’s hungry baby on the streets of Tokoroa is that the kind gesture did not go unnoticed.

The shy mother of three, originally from Hamilton, has admitted to being the woman who helped out a woman recovering from drug addiction, who was sitting distressed outside Tainui Superette last week.


Susan Johnson was unable to produce her own milk and had run out of money to buy baby formula due to her husband starting a new job and her application for a benefit still being processed.

Brown, who has had her own struggles, told Stuff she did not think twice about “giving the baby the boob” and would do it again.


Piripono Brown breastfed a distressed mother’s baby last week outside Tainui Dairy in Tokoroa. 

She is pictured with her own baby, Pounamu.



“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal,” Brown told Stuff while cradling her own 3-month-old baby.

“Baby was hungry right then and I had milk that would have gone to waste. I just wanted to feed her straight away instead of running off to get formula. It is all natural anyway.”

Growing up in a rough area of Fairfield, Brown can empathise with Johnson’s situation.

While substance addiction was not rife in her household, her mum became an alcoholic after her husband died.

She often remembers wondering when her family might get their next feed.



                            “Baby was hungry right then and I had milk that would have gone to waste,” said Piripono Brown, who has three children.



“My mum tried really hard to provide for us but it was expensive to feed eight kids.'’

Her mum often had to reach out to foodbanks or generous community members to keep the cupboards stocked, she said.

“I don’t remember having a bad upbringing but we didn’t get a feed every day.” 

Now, at 24 years old, she is really appreciative of what she has and is always willing to help others in need.

“My kids are happy and healthy and have a home, whereas there are others who don't have those things.

“I am definitely not rich but I am just fortunate enough to be able to help.”

The free feed and gifting of $200 worth of groceries to Johnson is not where Brown’s generosity ends either.



                                                             Piripono Brown has been keeping other families’ bellies full as well. 


Over the past month, Brown has bought groceries for more than 50 families in Tokoroa.

She set up a Facebook page called Tokoroa Free Kai and has been supplying weekly groceries to those in need.

As well as working part-time at First Security, she is studying He Papa Tikanga (Māori worldviews) online and completing a course in health and wellbeing.

She hopes to have a career in health one day.

“I don’t want anything in return. I just like to help and it makes me happy seeing others happy.”



                                                                 Piripono Brown’s son, Pounamu Brown, is 3 months old.




Here is a link to a short interview wih Piripono Brown and the full article.


https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/300449141/milk-of-human-kindness-tokoroa-mum-who-breastfed-strangers-baby-remembers-not-getting-a-feed-every-day




SHARNAE HOPE • WAIKATO REPORTER
sharnae.hope@stuff.co.nz



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