Why Kindness
When Think Kindness founder Brian Williams started martial arts, he learned that “Kindness was the ultimate form of self-defense”. Instead of a survival of the fittest, teaching, he learned that it was survival of the kindest. “If you are nice to everyone, you should never have to defend yourself.” Says his instructor Tom Callos.
Brian grew up training to not only become a black belt in martial arts, but a black belt in life.
As he grew older he realized that he could make a bigger difference, not through punches and kicks, but through kindness.
There are many things that compose a persons life to be “rough around the edges”. From a door slammed in your face, highway traffic, to a stubbed toe. In addition, we have media sources stacking 60% of their content with negative news. This extended negative branding in our society has ingrained within our youth and adults to always expect the worst. . . and taking it one step further, think that they can do nothing about it.
Our society has become a reactionary society. Waiting for the worst to happen, then reacting, most of the time doing so in an unproductive manner. Brian, decided to take action. Rather than waiting for the negative news to hit the wires, he decided to create good news. Research proves that kindness makes us happier.
Professor Sonja Lyubomirksy, from UCLA asked her students to perform random acts of kindness over a 10 week period. She found that the overall happiness of her class increased. Yet, students that documented a wide variety of kind acts increased their happiness within the first 15 days.
Kindness can also regulate emotions, which has a positive impact on our health. Every individual had a built-in “fight or flight” response. If this response becomes overactive due to daily stress, it affects our cardiovascular system and weakens our bodies immunity. “It’s nearly impossible to feel angry, resentful, or fearful when someone is showing unselfish kindness towards another.” Says Brian Williams.
Currently Think Kindness is on a mission to not just do acts of kindness, but to inspire others to do acts of kindness, creating a ripple affect. “This is the only time where you can say 1+1=more than two.” Says Think Kindness founder, Brian Williams.