This week is special because Dr. Bronce Rice, a Psychologist, and I are “hanging out” in an imaginary coffee shop discussing kindness. At least, that’s how I feel. In reality, we are passing notes back and forth over virtual space, sharing our thoughts and individual perspectives on the topic.
I am reminded of the saying, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” To me, that’s the invisible thread woven through the fabric of the experience of human flourishing. If kindness went in all directions - toward self, toward others, toward nature, humanity as a whole, toward everything - perhaps our daily lived experiences would be less stressful, more purposeful, more fulfilling, more collaborative, wiser.
Sadly, in a contentious world, bombarded by negativity, sometimes we forget that kindness even exists. So, today is as good as any to stop for a second and ask a few questions. Dr. Bronce Rice explores the emotional effects of kindness in his essay The Science of Kindness and How It Affects Us Emotionally.
For our “coffee shop conversation,” we each answered these 3 specific questions:
What makes kindness psychologically distinct from being nice, agreeable, or eager to please, and why does that distinction matter for our emotional well-being?
How do our early experiences of care shape what kindness feels like to us, and whether we trust it when it appears?
What evidence would justify saying that kindness changes us over time, rather than simply improving a moment, and what would those changes mean for how we understand emotional resilience and a good life?
Our individual answers are below.