As we find ourselves in the midst of the season that offers devoted time to reflect on the gratitude we have for the blessings in our lives, I would like to share some of the reflections of your stewardship committee members and I on joy, purpose, and kindness. We began with the posed question: How do you find joy and purpose through acts of kindness? which resulted in a variety of heartfelt responses, truisms, and life lessons that, unsurprisingly, center around our actions toward others.
It is the fundamental virtue of kindness, manifested through small acts of love, compassion, and solidarity, that contributes to creating a more humane and compassionate world. The truthfulness of the old adage It's better to give than receive, especially at this time of year, drew no argument from your stewardship committee. But the thing about kindness is that it feels good when it is given or when it is received. Acts of kindness improve our support networks and encourage us to be more active, even more social, in turn improving our self-esteem. Kindness elevates others as well as ourselves — making us happier, creating bonds between us — and even boosts our physical and mental health.
Scientifically speaking, when we are kind, we slow the aging process by reducing our body’s free radicals and inflammation through the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin also promotes heart health, lowering blood pressure and protecting the heart. Kindness also increases serotonin production, regulating moods and decreasing anxiety. The best thing about being kind is that it is long-lasting and contagious. It makes us feel a sense of belonging and connectedness, which motivates us to practice even more kind acts!
Three pervasive concepts were noted for being at the heart of true kindness. The first was an individual's ability to lead positive change by using their God-given talent, to the benefit of COS, the community, and strangers at large. Sharing one’s gifts deepens the understanding of human interconnectedness. In turn, when a person is the recipient of the gift of someone else’s God-given talent for their own benefit, the experience positively encourages repetition of the cycle of kindness.
The second theme that was found at the heart of kindness was creating positive impact through kindness. As considered by the stewardship committee, Dale Carnegie’s 1936 book How to Win Friends and Influence People acts as a how-to guide in understanding human nature, choosing politeness and manners over knee-jerk emotional reactions. The book recommends using one’s personal core values, gratitude, humility, sincerity, empathy, and of course, kindness, to boast a do-what-I-say-I’m-going-to doctrine over impulsive emotion. Small, gracious acts, such as a giving a simple smile or providing a listening ear, incline a person to goodness, compassion, and altruism.
The final, and most surprising, facet of kindness that was reflected upon is that of the unexpected. The committee’s experience of unknowing, oblivious, uninstructed moments where joy is found were accepted as gifts from God. Unsolicited help with a task or lifting a heavy object from an unknown passerby, a kind word from a stranger, or any other interaction that is an unexpected example of goodness is how He enriches our lives on a daily basis as a gift. Committee members were resolute that surprises of kindness and consideration are gifts to be celebrated.
Choosing kindness often means putting other people’s needs before our own. Ethical behavior promotes a peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, no matter the temperature, political climate, or age. Acts of kindness can make the world a happier place for everyone.
Your support of the 2025 annual stewardship campaign ensures that the joy found throughout the COS community — through ministry, programs, and events — continues to flourish, serving others and promoting acts of kindness. Your participation at Church of Our Saviour ensures that the cycle of kindness and joy begins at home.
How do you find joy and purpose by engaging in acts of kindness? I welcome and encourage your responses; contact me at roseg@cosepiscopal.org
This reflection beautifully highlights how kindness creates a cycle of joy and purpose in our lives. As students, we can embody this through small acts of compassion, building stronger communities. Just like choosing a reliable mens leather duffle bag Canada for travel, kindness is a meaningful, lasting investment.