Dec. 21 - Kindness Bonanza

Day 355 of a year of kindness

Today was a kindness bonanza that was even over the top for me.I went to a carol sing at a church in Providence, Rhode Island this afternoon with my mother, aunt, uncle and cousin. I sat at the end of a pew beside my aunt Helen. I looked at all the people around me and imagined the suffering they’ve experienced over the past week. The recent Brown University shooting shook everyone and left behind a wake of tragedy and grief.

Near the end of the service, the lights dimmed, and the choir held candles. As soon as they began to sing Silent Night and the music swelled, I held my aunt’s hand and tears streamed down our faces. The minister spoke gently about the tough week behind us and encouraged the congregation to find the good in people - to essentially look for kindness.

Afterwards, we went to dinner in Providence. After such an emotional service, it felt good to order drinks and tell silly stories about family characters and make each other laugh. After we finished dinner and were paying our bill, our server told all seven of us (two additional cousins joined us for dinner) that a man at a corner table of the restaurant - a former Brown University professor - wanted to buy us all a drink. The reason: he enjoyed hearing the laughter. There had been so little laughter in Providence.

We decided that we didn’t need any more drinks, but we would return the kindness by singing him a Christmas carol. Two of my cousins are great singers. So, we gathered up our coats and went over to his table, thanked him for his kind offer and serenaded Bill from Brown with Deck the Halls. He sang along as well and the whole restaurant lit up.

I think what happened at dinner tonight is exactly what the minister was trying to convey. There is tragedy and despair all around us. It is palpable in Providence - and elsewhere. And yet, there are good people. There is family and grace, hands to hold, songs to sing, and stories that make you laugh. There are diners who see the good in people, extend a kindness and get a song in return. It was a beautiful evening that filled me with hope.

Science of Kindness: Research and my own personal experience reveals that if you can sing, you should share it with anyone and everyone including strangers who want to buy you a drink because it’s truly a Top 10 kindness. #BeKind #KindnessCounts #KindnessCounts2025 #kindness #kindnesseffect #kindnessmatters #singasong