Counselling Central

Is kindness contagious? Research shows that witnessing simple acts of kindness, such as holding open a door for someone, giving up your seat on the bus or helping someone in distress, encourages us to think more positively about the human condition and behave in a more caring way.

Witnessing simple acts of kindness has been shown to lift our mood and motivate us to do good acts.  How many times have you let someone out at a junction only for them to do the same thing for another motorist further along the road? I think the following story from help others also reinforces this:

Two years ago an African man from Malawi, Elias, arrived at my sister’s home in the rough, bush country of South Africa with nothing but the shirt on his back. He was hoping to come to South Africa to find employment in order to support his family in Malawi. Little did he realize my sister at that time was struggling to keep her body and soul together. Nevertheless, Elias was given permission to stay on the property with the understanding that she was unable to help him financially and he would have to find “piece work” employment to support himself.

As unemployment is rife, Elias was unable to find work immediately, so my sister taught him how to grow organic vegetables, sew and bake. Elias was keen to learn whatever he could to take the knowledge back to Malawi with him.

Elias finally found employment but my sister hit a bad patch. Being without transport, this was no joke when you are live 15–20 miles from the nearest shop through rough mountainous terrain. Despite approaching various neighbours in the area asking for a lift, no one was willing to assist her even though most were going into town at least once a day.

Early one rainy, cold winter’s Saturday morning, Elias arrived at my sister’s back door ready to walk to the shops for her. Touched as she was by this gesture, she had to tell Elias she had no money as she had not been able to get to the bank. His reply was, “I know ma’am, but I got pay so I will buy for you now.” Not taking no for an answer, Elias did a wonderful act of kindness straight from his heart.

I find it very difficult to understand how those of us that have much cannot help one another, yet someone with nothing and far from his own home, without being approached, so willingly gave his time and hard earned money. If you felt good after reading this story, ‘pass it on’ and do something good for someone today. How did it make you feel?