kindness

Many believe that the world is experiencing unprecedented violence, with increasing wars and murders; however, Steven Pinker, a prominent psychologist from Harvard, argues otherwise. In his book, The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, he presents compelling data showing significant decreases in war deaths, domestic violence, racism, rape, and murder. Pinker asserts that “the decline of violence may be the most significant and least appreciated development in the history of our species.” He attributes this decline to several factors: the growth of government, increased literacy, expanded trade, and a rise in cosmopolitanism. He explains that these changes have led to better impulse control, greater empathy towards others, a preference for negotiation over aggression, and a critical approach to harmful ideologies. In essence, Pinker emphasizes that humanity’s capacity for empathy, self-control, moral reasoning, and rational thought has helped steer society away from violence towards cooperation and altruism.

An insightful new book by Washington Post journalist Eli Saslow highlights several instances where President Obama personally intervened to assist struggling Americans whose letters reached him as part of his daily routine of reading ten letters from citizens. On occasion, Obama revealed that he had written personal checks or made phone calls on behalf of the letter writers, believing this was the most effective way to achieve prompt assistance. “It’s not something I should advertise, but it has happened,” he shared with Saslow. In many other cases, he forwarded letters to relevant government agencies or Cabinet members, often including a handwritten note that stated: “Can you please take care of this?” Reflecting on the impact of these letters, Obama remarked, “Some of these letters you read and you say, ‘Gosh, I really want to help this person.’” Life places us in positions, let’s learn to spread kindness while there.

It appears that angels can sometimes be found in brown uniforms. Raheem Cooper, a UPS driver in Valdosta, Georgia, was on his usual delivery route when he noticed an elderly woman collapsed on her driveway. Without hesitation, he called emergency services and remained by her side, affectionately referring to her as “grandmother.” The woman, later identified as Marie Coble, was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. Thankfully, she survived the operation and began her recovery. Kayla Cochran, Coble’s granddaughter, learned about Cooper’s heroic actions and managed to contact him. “I found his number and called him to express my gratitude,” Cochran recounted. “He was truly an angel to our family; without him, she would not have made it.” Five days post-surgery, when Cooper visited Coble, she brightened up and hugged him—her first sign of affection since the incident. In a show of support for Coble’s family, Cooper initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist them, contributing $100 of his own money to kickstart the effort. Recently, he received a letter from UPS’s CEO acknowledging his bravery. Additionally, a coworker gifted him tickets to a Florida State University football game, and he was presented with a plaque in recognition of his selflessness.

A 21-year-old motorcyclist, Brandon Wright, found himself in a life-and-death situation on the bustling campus of Utah State University. It was a typical Monday around noon when disaster struck. As he rode his motorcycle, a black BMW unexpectedly pulled out in front of him, leading to a catastrophic collision. The impact was severe, sending Wright tumbling to the ground and leaving him unconscious beneath the wreckage of his bike and the burning car. As flames began to engulf the motorcycle and the BMW, chaos erupted on campus. Bystanders quickly sprang into action, their instincts kicking in as they rushed toward the scene. Among them were construction workers from a nearby site who immediately recognized the urgency of the situation. They joined forces with students, all determined to lift the heavy vehicle off Wright. Their combined strength was fueled by adrenaline and a shared sense of purpose, kindness to humanity. Meanwhile, a professor observing from an upper window of a nearby building captured the unfolding drama on his phone. The footage would later serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the heroism that can emerge in moments of crisis. As rescuers arrived with fire extinguishers, they feared the worst; initial assessments led them to believe that Wright might not have survived. However, their efforts were relentless. With every ounce of strength, they managed to lift the car just enough to free him from the wreckage. When they finally pulled him out, he was alive but gravely injured. The sight was harrowing: Wright lay there, his body battered but breathing, as bystanders worked to keep him calm until paramedics arrived. The flames flickered ominously in the background, but hope flickered brighter among those gathered. This incident does serve as a strong point in favour of community spirit and heroism, illustrating how ordinary people can become extraordinary when faced with adversity.

Some quick-thinking Good Samaritans became true lifesavers for a family from Richardson, Texas, whose small seaplane tragically crashed into the ocean off the coast of Roatan, a small Caribbean Island near Honduras. What began as a picturesque sightseeing adventure quickly transformed into a harrowing fight for survival. Andy Atkins, an attorney from Dallas, was strapped into his seat when the plane unexpectedly lost an engine and flipped upside down upon impact with the water. In that terrifying moment, he realized, “I’m not dead, but I’ve got to get out of here before I drown.” With adrenaline surging through him, he fought against panic as he struggled to escape the submerged aircraft. As he managed to break free from his seatbelt and swim to the surface, Andy’s heart raced with fear for his family. His wife, Jenny, and their four-year-old son, Logan, were still unaccounted for beneath the waves. Desperate to find them, he dove back underwater multiple times, searching frantically. Finally, he emerged with Logan in his arms; moments later, Jenny surfaced with the help of the pilot. Nearby boaters witnessed the crash and immediately sprang into action. A group of strangers dove into the ocean to assist the family in distress. Among them were a U.S. Navy doctor and another physician who were on a larger boat. They quickly began administering first aid to Jenny and Logan, providing oxygen and medical care until they could reach shore. Reflecting on the ordeal, Andy expressed immense gratitude for those who risked their lives to help his family: “It reaffirms your faith in people and humanity that so many people stepped in to help that didn’t have to.” After spending several days in a hospital for observation and treatment, the Atkins family returned home feeling like they had been given a second chance at life. Despite the traumatic experience, Andy stated that it would not deter them from returning to Roatan. “It only strengthens our feelings about Roatan,” he said. While they would avoid flying in small planes again, their appreciation for the island and its people remains intact as they plan another family trip in soonest.

Tornado survivors in Woodward, Oklahoma, have demonstrated that even in the face of destruction, hope can be rekindled, and precious items can be recovered. When devastating tornadoes swept through the Midwest, claiming six lives, one family narrowly escaped just before their home was obliterated. Emilee Neagle had been watching television, with her wedding ring left on the table. The following day, after an exhaustive search by friends using a metal detector for eight hours, Neagle’s wedding ring was miraculously found amid the wreckage. This discovery brought a glimmer of hope during a challenging time for the community.

A little boy in Guangdong province, China, experienced a miraculous escape after falling through an opening on a fourth-story window ledge, where he was left hanging by his neck. Fortunately, a courageous neighbor intervened, climbing through a window and gripping the building’s facade to support the child’s feet. This dramatic rescue was captured on video and later featured by a Sina news station. How truly beautiful are the hearts of those who go out there selflessly to save situations for others, they’re heroes which ought to be celebrated every minute of everyday.

A mother accumulated some positive karma by recycling her son’s old computer, a gesture that proved fortuitous when she discovered he had hidden $300 inside the device. Twelve-year-old Max had just returned from Boy Scout camp when he realized his computer’s central processing unit was missing. “He started screaming that his CPU was gone. That’s when we figured it out,” his mother recounted. Max had saved over $300 for next year’s camp, cleverly stashing the money inside the old computer to keep it away from his sister. Upon learning about the situation, the facility responsible for collecting used electronics from a New York landfill was eager to assist. “We were thrilled with Max’s mom for taking the initiative to recycle, so we wanted to do everything we could to help,” they stated. However, the challenge lay in sifting through thousands of old computers to locate Max’s hidden treasure. In the end, kindness prevailed albeit.

When individuals make mistakes, it is not the end of the road. By viewing their circumstances through a lens of kindness, we can extend compassion and support, offering pathways to redemption. With love and understanding, only a few situations are truly irredeemable. Teenagers in detention still deserve access to education. Near Washington, DC, a juvenile program for incarcerated youth has undergone a remarkable transformation, inspired by the legacy of poet Maya Angelou. At the Maya Angelou Academy, located within a juvenile correctional center surrounded by barbed wire and security personnel, 60 teenagers engage in learning within a modern educational environment. Where there were once shackles and abuse, the focus has shifted to fostering both emotional and intellectual development for these young individuals, now referred to as “scholars.”

A 7-year-old girl with autism in Brooklyn is safe after a quick-thinking neighbor intervened during a precarious situation. The young girl had crawled out of her window and was seen dancing and singing atop an air conditioner when she lost her balance and fell. Steve St. Bernard, a 52-year-old MTA bus driver, was waiting below with his arms ready to catch her. He successfully prevented what could have been a tragic accident. “I just prayed that I’d catch her,” St. Bernard recounted to the New York Daily News, explaining that he positioned himself directly underneath her as she fell.