reflective essay about kindness

Essay on Kindness

500 words essay on kindness.

The world we live in today has been through a lot of things from world wars to epidemics, but one thing which remained constant throughout was resilience and kindness. Moreover, it was the spirit to fight back and help out each other. Kindness must be an essential and universal quality to make the world a better place. Through an essay on kindness, we will go through it in detail.

Importance of Kindness

Kindness towards nature, animals and other people has the ability to transform the world and make it a beautiful place for living. But, it is also important to remember that kindness towards you is also essential for personal growth.

Kindness is basically being polite, compassionate and thoughtful. Every religion and faith teaches its followers to be kind. Most importantly, kindness must not limit to humans but also to every living creature.

Even nature has its own way of showing kindness. For instance, the trees grow fruits for us and provide us with shade. One must not see kindness as a core value but as a fundamental behavioural element. When you are kind to your loved ones, you create a stable base.

As people are becoming more self-centred today, we must learn kindness. We must try to integrate it into ourselves. You might not know how a small act of kindness can bring about a change in someone’s life. So, be kind always.

Kindness Always Wins

There is no doubt that kindness always wins and it has been proven time and again by people. Sid is a greedy man who does not share his wealth with anyone, not even his family members.

He also does not pay his workers well. One day, he loses his bag of gold coins and loses his temper. Everyone helps him out to search for it but no one finds it. Finally, his worker’s little son finds the bag.

Upon checking the bag, he sees all the coins are there. But, his greed makes him play a trick on the poor worker. He claims that there were more coins in the bag and the worker stole them.

The issue goes to the court and the judge confirms from Sid whether his bag had more coins to which he agrees. So, the judge rules out that as Sid’s bag had more coins , the bag which the worker’s son found is not his.

Therefore, the bag gets handed to the worker as no one else claims it. Consequently, you see how the worker’s son act of kindness won and paid him well. On the other hand, how Sid’s greediness resulted in his loss only.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Kindness

It is essential for all of us to understand the value of kindness. Always remember, it does not cost anything to be kind. It may be a little compliment or it can be a grand gesture, no matter how big or small, kindness always matters. Therefore, try your best to be kind to everyone around you.

FAQ of Essay on Kindness

Question 1: Why is it important to be kind?

Answer 1: It is important to be kind because it makes one feel good about oneself. When you do things for other people and help them with anything, it makes you feel warm and that you have accomplished something. Moreover, you also get respect in return.

Question 2: Why is kindness so powerful?

Answer 2: Kindness has a lot of benefits which includes increased happiness and a healthy heart . It slows down the ageing process and also enhances relationships and connections, which will indirectly boost your health.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

How to Write a Reflective Essay on the Importance of Kindness: 3 Best Examples

Kindness is a universal virtue that transcends cultures and nations. It is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and holds the power to change lives. Reflecting on the importance of kindness can provide valuable insights into its impact on individuals and society. In this article, we will explore how to write a reflective essay on the importance of kindness, and we will review three examples to guide your writing process.

• What is a Reflective Essay?

A reflective essay is a type of writing that allows you to reflect on your personal experiences and thoughts. Unlike expository or argumentative essays, reflective essays provide an opportunity to introspect about a certain topic or event. When writing on the importance of kindness, a reflective essay should convey your personal understanding and experiences of kindness and how it has impacted your life and the lives of others.

• Why Write About Kindness?

Writing about kindness can serve multiple purposes. It can help you internalize the value of kindness, set an example for others, and spread awareness about the importance of being kind. It can also be a form of self-inquiry that allows you to understand your own beliefs and actions better. Are you as kind as you believe yourself to be? What instances of kindness have significantly impacted you?

• Structuring Your Reflective Essay

A well-structured reflective essay should include the following sections:

Introduction

Start with a hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This can be an anecdote, a quote, or a question. Introduce the topic and explain why it is important to reflect on kindness. Provide a brief overview of what the essay will cover.

Body Paragraphs

Personal experience.

Write about a personal experience where you encountered kindness or showed kindness to someone else. This could be an act of kindness from a stranger, a family member, or a friend. Describe the experience in detail and reflect on how it made you feel.

Broader Context

Discuss the importance of kindness in a broader context. You can include references to studies or quotes from well-known thinkers to support your points. Reflections on societal norms and the role of kindness in building community and trust can also be included.

Lessons Learned

Reflect on what you have learned from your experiences and from writing this essay. How has your perspective on kindness changed or been reinforced? What lessons can others learn from your experience?

Summarize the key points discussed in the essay. Restate the importance of kindness and how it can make a difference in individual lives and society as a whole. End with a thought-provoking statement or call to action.

• 3 Best Essay Examples on the Importance of Kindness

To give you a clearer idea of how to write a reflective essay on the importance of kindness, here are three typical examples:

Example 1: The Ripple Effect of Kindness

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain’s words resonate with me because of an unforgettable experience I had last year.

I was on my way to work when I noticed an elderly woman struggling to carry her groceries. Instead of walking past, I offered to help. Her smile and gratitude were so genuine that it brightened my entire day. This simple act of kindness had a ripple effect – inspired by this interaction, I noticed myself being more considerate and compassionate toward others for the rest of the day.

Studies show that kindness not only benefits the receiver but also positively impacts the giver’s mental and emotional well-being. According to research published in the Journal of Social Psychology, performing acts of kindness can increase our overall happiness and satisfaction with life. The ripple effect of kindness can create a chain reaction that spreads positivity and compassion in our communities.

From this experience, I learned that kindness doesn’t always require grand gestures. Even the smallest acts can have a profound impact on someone’s day. It also taught me that kindness is contagious – when you experience or witness kindness, you are more likely to pay it forward.

Kindness is a simple yet powerful tool that can transform our interactions and relationships. By embracing kindness, we can create a more empathetic and connected world.

Example 2: A Kindness From a Stranger

The world can be a harsh place, but even in the most challenging times, a small act of kindness from a stranger can restore our faith in humanity.

During a particularly rough patch in my life, I was feeling lost and overwhelmed. One day, I found myself sitting at a bus stop, tears streaming down my face. A stranger noticed my distress and sat down next to me, offering a gentle smile and a tissue. They didn’t ask for details or try to solve my problems; they simply said, “It’s going to be okay.” That brief moment of kindness gave me the strength to carry on.

Kindness doesn't always need to be planned or significant to be effective. Random acts of kindness, like the one I experienced, can have a substantial impact on someone’s mental and emotional state. Such acts can even be lifesaving. According to a study by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, acts of kindness can boost our mood and increase our sense of connection with others.

This experience taught me that sometimes, the mere presence of a kind person is enough to make a significant difference. It reinforced my belief that kindness is a universal language that can heal and connect us in profound ways.

In a world where we often feel disconnected, kindness acts as a bridge, bringing us closer and allowing us to see the good in each other. Embracing and practicing kindness can truly make the world a better place.

Example 3: The Lifelong Impact of a Mentor’s Kindness

“Kindness is the mark we leave on the world.” This quote by an unknown author perfectly encapsulates the impact my mentor’s kindness has had on my life.

Throughout my academic journey, I encountered many challenges that made me question my abilities and worth. My mentor, Mrs. Johnson, not only provided academic guidance but also offered unwavering emotional support. Her kind words and encouragement helped me persevere through tough times and ultimately achieve my goals.

The role of mentors and teachers in our lives cannot be overstated. Their kindness and support can shape our futures and influence our personal development. Research by the Association for Psychological Science indicates that mentor-mentee relationships characterized by kindness and support can lead to higher levels of success and well-being in mentees.

Mrs. Johnson’s kindness taught me the importance of compassion and support in nurturing others. It inspired me to become a mentor myself, paying forward the kindness I received to help others realize their potential.

Kindness leaves a lasting legacy. By supporting and uplifting others, we create a chain reaction of positivity and growth. Embracing kindness can leave an indelible mark on the lives of those we touch.

• Conclusion: Embrace Kindness

Reflecting on kindness helps us understand its profound impact on our lives and the lives of others. Through personal experiences and broader reflections, we see that kindness is not just an ethical choice; it is a powerful force that fosters connection, compassion, and well-being. By embracing and practicing kindness, we contribute to a more humane and connected world. In the words of Aesop, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

How to Write an Essay on the Importance of Honesty: 3 Best Examples

Honesty is more than just a virtue; it's essential in all aspects of life. Learn how to craft a powerful essay on the importance of honesty with these exemplary examples and tips.

How to Write an Essay on The Importance of Teamwork: 3 Best Examples

Teamwork is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, deeply ingrained in every sphere of life, whether in the workplace, school, or community. The keyword here is 'importance of teamwork essay example.' In this article, we will explore some tips and provide examples to help you write an exemplary essay on the importance of teamwork. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let's delve into the world of teamwork.

30 ‘In Conclusion’ Synonyms and How To Use Them Write Better Essays

A strong closing section is essential for any essay. Whether you’re writing an argumentative essay, an exposition, or a narrative essay, the conclusion needs to be one of the most impactful parts of your writing. If you’re looking at ‘in conclusion’ synonyms, then you likely need some help with crafting an impactful summary section.

51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for kindness topic ideas to write about? The concepts of kindness, generosity, and compassion are crucial nowadays.

🏆 Best Kindness Essay Examples

📌 top kindness topics to write about, 🥰 interesting kindness essay topics, 👍 controversial kindness topic ideas, 🙏 catchy kindness essay titles.

Being a debated subject in philosophy, psychology, and religion, kindness is definitely worth writing about. The topic of kindness is one of the key in the Bible. It has become especially important nowadays, in the era of intolerance and instability. In your kindness essay, you might want to focus on the importance of helping others. Another option is to consider the concept of kindness in philosophy, psychology, and religion. Whatever direction you will choose, this article will be helpful. It contains everything necessary to write an A+ paper on generosity & compassion! There are kindness essay examples, topics, and research titles.

• Stories of Random Acts of Kindness Foundation I made a shopping list and after completing it, I went to one of the shelters to hand over the purchases to its representatives. In addition, it is important to understand that the reaction of […]
• Critical Response “On Compassion” She is a lawyer, a sign that her level of literacy is quite higher and she able to learn and understand, even by seeing, the situation of other people.
• Acts of Kindness and Happiness in Human Life The research at hand is aimed to prove that, to boost happiness through receiving positive emotions, a person should commit more actions that can be referred to as acts of kindness.
• “Selfless Gene” by Olivia Judson and Reasons for Altruism Once people realize that the biology and social life of another race is the same, they tend to be more understanding and kind.
• Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and Personal Acts of Kindness This exercise enabled me to reflect on my principles and think about the kind of impact I make in my day-to-day life.
• Acts of Kindness in Society Initially, she wrote a report on this topic, in the preparation of which she visited the shelter and was upset to tears about how depressing the life of animals is.
• “The Kindness of Strangers” by Ruben Martinez The USA may promote itself to be the “land of immigrants” with the Statue of Liberty as a shining reminder of what the rhetoric of residency means.
• Does True Altruism Exist? Therefore, in their experiment, Cialdini and his colleagues sought to separate the feelings of sadness from those of empathy among the subjects in order to assess the reliability of the findings of the former experiments […]
• Altruism and social behavior This shows altruism is not only beneficial to the recipients of the meritorious deeds but also to the doers of the deeds.
• An Anonymous Act of Kindness When speaking about the relation of altruism to psychology, it is necessary to state that altruism is considered to be the issue of social psychology.
• The Role of Compassion While Anne Fadiman’s this book seems to be primarily related to the impact of linguistic and cultural barriers on the experiences of immigrants, Amy Tan’s essay suggests that their difficulties can be explained primarily by […]
• Happy People Become Happier through Kindness: A Counting Kindnesses Intervention
• How Kindness Shapes One’s Destiny in Million Dollar Baby
• How Patience Can Be Considered An Act Of Kindness
• Important to Treat Patients with Kindness and Respect
• Introspection in A Complicated Kindness and The Catcher in the Rye
• Jacqueline Woodson’s Lovely Letter to Children About Kindness, Presence, and How Books Transform Us
• Job’s Suffering Not Befitting His Kindness and Compassion
• Larry and Friends: An Illustrated Ode to Immigration, Diversity, Otherness, and Kindness
• Love, Kindness, and the Song of the Universe: The Night Jack Kerouac Kept a Young Woman from Taking Her Own Life
• Marcus Aurelius on What His Father Taught Him About Humility, Honor, Kindness, and Integrity
• Muslim Muslims And Muslim People With Kindness And Love Essay
• People Can Still Show Kindness Despite all the Evil Out There Essay
• Portrayal Of The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment On Kindness
• Positive Interventions: Happiness Attained from Acts of Kindness and Gratitude
• Revealing of the True Identity in Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews and Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
• Revisiting Kindness and Confusion in Public Goods Experiments
• Roland: A Charming Vintage Illustrated Ode to the Imagination and the Animating Power of Kindness
• Secular Views on the Concept of Kindness
• Self-Indulgence or Kindness as the Keys to Happiness and a Better Life
• Self-Scrutiny Applied with Kindness: Epictetus’s Enduring Wisdom on Happiness and How Philosophy Helps Us Answer the Soul’s Cry
• Shakespeare: Portia’s Kindness Out Shines
• The Disabled With The Utmost Kindness And Compassion
• The Effect Of Kindness During The Iranian Revolution
• The Effect Of Random Acts Of Kindness, And Social Responsibility
• The Essence of Life: Kindness
• The Farmer and the Clown: A Warm Wordless Story about an Unlikely Friendship and How We Ennoble Each Other with Kindness
• The Huge Impact of the Small Acts of Kindness in Mawi Asgedom’s Memoir of Beetles
• The Importance of Kindness and Thankfulness in The Rihla Essay
• The Importance of Showing Kindness Through Acts
• The Importance of the Qualities of Shredders, Adaptability and Basic Human Kindness in Mark Twain’s Novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• The Injustice of Reality: Social Messages in Gilman’s “Wedded Bliss” and Plath’s “Kindness”
• The Issue Of Identity Change In The Novels “Mister Pip” By Lloyd Jones And “A Complicated Kindness” By Miriam Toews
• The Kindness of Strangers? An Investigation into the Interaction of Funder Motivations in Online Crowdfunding Campaigns
• The Kindness of Strangers: The Usefulness of Electronic Weak Ties for Technical Advice
• The Lion and the Mouse who Returned a Kindness
• Themes of a Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
• The Semblance of Selflessness: The Ingenuity of Kindness in As I Lay Dying
• The Theme of Kindness in The Grapes of Wrath, a Novel by John Steinbeck
• The Toil of Good and Evil: Multi-Faceted Kindness in The Book Thief
• The Value Of Kindness In Bhakti According To Vyasa’s The Bhagavad Gita
• Belief Questions
• Tolerance Essay Ideas
• Personal Ethics Titles
• Happiness Research Ideas
• Self-Concept Questions
• Forgiveness Essay Ideas
• Family Titles
• Personal Values Ideas
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 28). 51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/

"51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples." IvyPanda , 28 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples'. 28 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "51 Kindness Essay Topics & Examples." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/kindness-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

• Basic site functions
• Ensuring secure, safe transactions
• Secure account login
• Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
• Remembering privacy and security settings
• Analyzing site traffic and usage
• Personalized search, content, and recommendations
• Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

• Remembering general and regional preferences
• Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy .

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .

• TemplateLab

Reflective Essay Examples

50 best reflective essay examples (+topic samples).

If you have ever read reflective essay examples, you would know that these types of written works examine the writer’s life experiences . When you write a reflective paper example, you write about your own experiences and explore how you’ve changed, grown or developed because of those experiences. There’s no standard format for this essay as it may vary depending on the target audience.

Table of Contents

• 1 Reflective Essay Examples
• 2 What is a reflective essay?
• 3 Reflective Paper Examples
• 4 Format of reflective essay
• 5 Creating the outline of reflective essay examples
• 6 Reflective Paper Samples
• 7 Tips for writing reflective essay
• 8 Reflective Essay Samples

What is a reflective essay?

A reflective essay is a type of written work which reflects your own self. Since it’s about yourself, you already have a topic to write about. For reflective essay examples, readers expect you to evaluate a specific part of your life. To do this, you may reflect on emotions, memories, and feelings you’ve experienced at that time.

Since you’re writing reflection essay samples about yourself, make sure that they’re interesting and exciting. This is very important so that your readers don’t get bored with what you’ve written. Reflective essays are very personal thus, they’re a special type of essay. As you write one, you need to reflect, think, and explain.

In the essay, you should demonstrate and describe different feelings or emotions which you’ve felt in the past. These statements breathe life into your essay as your readers start picturing what you’ve written in their minds. Reflective essays are very honest, personal, and emotional, especially those which describe painful experiences.

Reflective Paper Examples

Format of reflective essay

As aforementioned, reflective essay examples don’t have a standard format. They seem easy enough to write but once you’ve sat down to start writing, you may suddenly find the task very challenging! Besides the format, you must think about the life experience you want to write about and remember everything about it.

A reflective paper example is a lot like a personal journal or diary. Of course, the difference is that other people will read your essay. Therefore, you must write it with good structure and coherence. In this regard, reflective essays are a lot like the other types of essays too.

When writing a reflective essay, you will have to examine your own life experiences. The purpose of writing such an essay is to provide yourself with a platform to share your most meaningful life experiences with other people. You can also use it as a way to explore how your experiences have changed you as a person.

You can present reflective writing in different formats. Most of the time though, people use a learning log or a diary entry format. You can use these formats and others. Just make sure that your essay has a good flow and that it’s easy for other readers to understand.

The format to use for your reflection essay samples would depend on your target audience. You can make an academic reflective essay or you can make it as a general and informal piece of writing. If you need to write the essay for a class assignment, follow the format given to you by your teacher.

No matter what format you choose, you may write an essay which:

• Focuses on your personal growth Such an essay helps you learn how to evaluate and analyze the experiences you have had in your personal life. This helps promote emotional development and growth. It also helps you understand yourself and your behaviors better.
• Focuses on literature For this type of essay, you may have to include references to literature and apply these to your own life experiences. Such essays are commonly given as assignments to students in school.

Creating the outline of reflective essay examples

Before you write your reflective essay examples, you must create an outline for them. Although you’d write about your own life, creating an outline gives structure to your essay to serve as a guide for what you want to write about.

Whether you need to write an essay for school, for a magazine or for any other reason, creating an outline is the very first step. With a good outline, you have a better idea of how your essay will flow from one paragraph to the next all the way to the conclusion.

When creating the outline of your reflective paper example, keep it organized. Develop the outline gradually and put a lot of thought into it. In doing this, you make the writing process much easier. Here is a rundown of the steps involved in the essay-writing process:

• Choose a topic (a significant life experience you want to write about)
• Gather information
• Create an outline
• Write a draft
• Finalize your essay

Reflective Paper Samples

Tips for writing reflective essay

As you think about the content of your reflection essay samples, remember that the important thing is that such an essay must be highly personal but also engaging to readers. There’s so much more to reflective essays than just writing your story. You must also reflect on your experiences to engage your audiences.

For your starting point, think about the most significant experiences you had in your life. Those which had either a negative or a positive impact on you as a person. If the reflective essay is a school assignment, your professor would probably specify what you must write about. Here are some tips for you for writing your reflective paper example:

• Reflection The most important part of writing your reflective essay is the reflective process. Think about the personal experience you want to write about. Focus on what happened, how this experience made you feel, and how it affected your life. Explore your memories and emotions for this part of the process. As you’re recalling and reflecting on your life experience, take a lot of notes . Write down all the details you remember and try to be as clear and as detailed as you possibly can. Take as much time as you need for reflection. You can even close your eyes as you try to remember those experiences vividly. When you’re confident that you have recalled all of the details of your life experience, it’s time to write your essay. To make it more meaningful, try to answer some important questions about your life experience including: Did you learn anything new about yourself because of this experience? Have you grown or developed because of this experience? If so, in what way? Did this experience impact your life positively or negatively? If you had the chance to experience this all over again, would you do anything differently? Why did you behave in such a way at the time of this experience? Did you make the right choices? What are your general thoughts and feelings about this experience? Can you say that you learned from this experience? Did you gain any new perspectives or skills because of this experience? These are “signpost questions” which can help you write a more meaningful essay. These are just some examples, you can also think of your own questions to ask yourself. The point of these questions is to make sure that you think critically and deeply about the experience you’re writing about.
• Planning After you’ve reflected on your life experience, it’s time to start planning your essay. When it’s time to start, you might feel as if you’re not adequately prepared even though you’ve done a lot of reflection. This is a normal feeling, especially if you want to create a written piece which people will love reading. To ease your anxiety and doubt, come up with a well-rounded and comprehensive plan. The best way to do this is through an outline. With an outline to guide your writing process, you can come up with an essay that’s more coherent and which has a clear structure. An outline or plan is important for reflective essays. Since you’re writing about an emotionally-charged topic, you might find yourself getting “lost” along the way. This is especially true if you’re writing about a painful experience which still affects you until now. The outline serves as a map for you to keep your thoughts organized. In your outline, make sure to establish all of the fundamental details you wish to include in your essay. This helps you pick out and remove any superfluous information to make it easier to read and understand. Planning the points you want to write about makes it easier for you to stay on point. As such, your writing becomes a lot clearer and your readers can follow your line of thought. An outline also prevents you from missing out any relevant information. It’s very difficult and frustrating to go back after you’ve written the whole essay just to fit in this information! Planning your essay also saves you a lot of time. Coming up with the structure makes you more familiar with your essay even before you start writing it. Thus, you can spend more time writing, revising, and proofreading your essay to make it the best version possible.

Reflective Essay Samples

More Templates

Class Roster Templates

Binder Cover Templates

Graph Paper Templates

Essay Outline Templates

Statement Of Purpose

Persuasive Essay Examples

Inspiring Educators and a Pedagogy of Kindness: A Reflective Essay

• January 2021
• Creative Education 12(01):220-230
• 12(01):220-230

• Athabasca University

Discover the world's research

• 25+ million members
• 160+ million publication pages
• 2.3+ billion citations

• Colleen Stanton

• Raja Putri Melissa Raja Mustaffa
• Khairul Izdihar Abd Basir
• Che Rahaida Tahir

• Tanya R. Mooney
• Rosemarie Desmarais
• Henry Johnston

• Mark Groves

• Rachel Barak

• Shoshana Magnet
• Corinne Lysandra Mason
• Kathryn Trevenen
• Mary Breuing
• Recruit researchers
• Join for free
• Login Email Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google Welcome back! Please log in. Email · Hint Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google No account? Sign up

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Life

Essay Samples on Kindness

What does kindness mean to me: a reflection.

What does kindness mean to you? Kindness, a simple yet profound gesture, holds the power to illuminate the lives of both the giver and the receiver. As I contemplate what kindness means to me, I am reminded of its transformative impact on individuals and society...

The Importance of Being Kind to Others

Kindness is a simple yet profound virtue that has the power to transform lives, communities, and the world at large. It is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, fostering connections and nurturing empathy. In a world often marked by division and strife,...

An Act of Kindness: The Ripple Effect of Compassion

Amid the challenges and complexities of the modern world, simple acts of kindness have the power to transcend barriers and create positive change. An act of kindness is a selfless gesture that holds the potential to touch lives, inspire others, and foster a sense of...

A Random Act of Kindness: Experiencing the Goodness of Humanity

In a world that can sometimes feel cold and distant, even the smallest acts of kindness have the power to warm our hearts and restore our faith in humanity. One such act that left a lasting impression on me was a random act of kindness...

The Three Core Values of Aging: Dignity, Kindness, and Security

In the last two centuries, life expectancy has doubled from around forty years to over eighty years in Canada and I personally believe that this is one of humanity’s most incredible feats. However; this improved longevity also presents us with one of our greatest challenges....

• Social Security

Stressed out with your paper?

Consider using writing assistance:

• 100% unique papers
• 3 hrs deadline option

Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years: Where Is Happiness of Life

Imagine having a life all planned out, then one thing goes wrong. Oe someone passes away or they move, it could be a big or a small change, but any situation could completely alter the outlook on life. One day the glass could be half...

• Personal Beliefs

Relation Between Kindness And Happiness

Kindness. Kindness is one of the most powerful forces that boost one’s happiness. We define kindness in countless terms because it holds a different meaning for everyone. From helping someone in need without searching for anything in return, being honest, respecting others' opinions, accepting others...

• Positive Psychology

Role Of Kindness And Gentleness When Giving Da’wah

Introduction The contemporary dā’ī (preacher) is one who proselytizes to non-Muslims (da’wah) and reforms wayward and ignorant Muslims (ʾiṣlāḥ). They achieve this through volunteering in local projects, encouraging engagement in religious programs and seminars, counselling people in need, enjoining good and forbidding evil (al-‘amr bil...

The Theme of Kindness and Its Loss in Shakespeare's King Lear

Within the world, kindness is a symbol of love and compassion. The values and thoughts individuals may have might differ and contrast with another, but the feeling and joy of bringing kindness into one’s heart is an undeniable sensation that can be appreciated by all...

• William Shakespeare

Tara Curb, Her Acts of Kindness Association, and Her Unique Vision of Kindness

It is a late-afternoon, November 7, 2019, on a freezing thirty-five degree and gloomy Thursday at the University of Oklahoma Bizzell Memorial Library. In one of the conference rooms held a Acts of Kindness Association meeting. Running the organization meeting was a smart young woman,...

• Someone Who Inspires Me

The Role of Kindness in the Modern World

In this world full of antagonism, we all affray for existence, but the only thing that brings peace of mind is the hand serving kindness. Remember, any time you have been mean or curt to someone and that actually made you happy? No. It never...

The Nature and Significance of Kindness in Human Societies

The quest of otherworldly rapture, or in the search of peace, the term kindness is often thrust into the mainstream throughout the years. Since childhood, adolescents are told by their elders to act kind and behave kind, typically meaning to give politeness in order to...

• Modern Society

Overview Of My Most Pronounced Personality Traits

Human beings have different personality traits and most likely they are influenced by their peers as well as their background. I think to myself that you can be able to define a person’s character according to their actions and preferably how they relate with people...

• Personality

Best topics on Kindness

1. What Does Kindness Mean to Me: a Reflection

2. The Importance of Being Kind to Others

3. An Act of Kindness: The Ripple Effect of Compassion

4. A Random Act of Kindness: Experiencing the Goodness of Humanity

5. The Three Core Values of Aging: Dignity, Kindness, and Security

6. Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years: Where Is Happiness of Life

7. Relation Between Kindness And Happiness

8. Role Of Kindness And Gentleness When Giving Da’wah

9. The Theme of Kindness and Its Loss in Shakespeare’s King Lear

10. Tara Curb, Her Acts of Kindness Association, and Her Unique Vision of Kindness

11. The Role of Kindness in the Modern World

12. The Nature and Significance of Kindness in Human Societies

13. Overview Of My Most Pronounced Personality Traits

• Career Goals
• Perseverance
• Stock Market

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Presentations made painless

• Get Premium

112 Kindness Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Kindness is a virtue that is often overlooked in today's fast-paced and competitive world. However, acts of kindness can have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver. Whether it's a small gesture like holding the door open for someone or a larger act of generosity like donating to a charity, kindness has the power to spread positivity and make the world a better place.

If you're looking for inspiration to write an essay on kindness, here are 112 topic ideas and examples to help you get started:

• The importance of kindness in a world filled with negativity
• How small acts of kindness can make a big difference
• The benefits of practicing kindness for both the giver and the receiver
• Kindness as a form of self-care and self-love
• Examples of kindness in everyday life
• The impact of random acts of kindness on society
• How kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity
• Kindness as a way to build strong relationships and communities
• The role of kindness in promoting mental health and well-being
• How kindness can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation
• The connection between kindness and empathy
• The importance of teaching kindness to children
• How kindness can break down barriers and promote understanding between people from different backgrounds
• The power of forgiveness as an act of kindness
• Kindness as a form of activism and social change
• The relationship between kindness and gratitude
• How acts of kindness can inspire others to pay it forward
• Kindness as a way to combat bullying and promote a culture of respect
• The role of kindness in promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion
• Kindness as a way to combat hate and discrimination
• The link between kindness and emotional intelligence
• The impact of kindness on physical health and well-being
• How kindness can improve workplace culture and productivity
• Kindness as a way to build trust and loyalty in relationships
• The connection between kindness and resilience in the face of adversity
• Examples of kindness in literature and popular culture
• The relationship between kindness and altruism
• How kindness can promote a sense of purpose and fulfillment
• The impact of kindness on the environment and sustainability
• How kindness can promote peace and conflict resolution
• The role of kindness in promoting social justice and equality
• Kindness as a way to build strong communities and support networks
• The connection between kindness and emotional intelligence
• The relationship between kindness and altruism.

In conclusion, kindness is a powerful force that has the ability to transform individuals, communities, and the world at large. By practicing kindness in our daily lives and spreading its message through essays and other forms of communication, we can create a more compassionate and empathetic society. So choose a topic from the list above, or come up with your own, and start writing about the importance of kindness today.

Want to research companies faster?

Instantly access industry insights

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Leverage powerful AI research capabilities

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

© 2024 Pitchgrade

• Smile Cards
• 21-day challenge

Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Reflection on kindness.

Kindness, and the world.

I believe we are in many ways brought up to believe that kindness is very rare. We are taught about a cruel world, an unjust world. We are taught about mans inhumanity to man. War and violence, power and money. The world is becoming more and more corrupt, and its true and I won’t deny it , humankind has succumbed to selfishness, arrogance, and primitive savagery towards one another.

Yet, in the pit of all humankinds violence and cruelties, there is a ray of hope that keeps us from ceasing to exist, and that is love. And with love comes kindness towards fellow mankind. Love motivates kindness, you cannot have love without kindness, and you cannot have kindness without love.

It is the kindness in our hearts that brings us together as a race after awful things have happened to our world. It was inhumanity and sin that caused the twin towers to collapse, and it was love and kindness that brought the nation together again.

It is inhumanity and sin that causes the wars humanity goes though over and over again, and it is love and kindness that that brings the world to peace again.

These two contrasting qualities exist in humankind, yet sometimes kindness takes over completely, and sometimes someone will share their umbrella with a person drenched, and sometimes someone will give a hungry person a meal, and sometimes someone will give someone whose really been through something a flower and an inspirational message, and it really brightens their day. A little difference goes a long way, and I think if we can get the message across the world about kindness, we can balance out kindness and inhumanity, and let kindness take over, so that we are driven by love and kindness, and not power and money.

"What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?" -- Jean Jacques Rousseau

• Posted by Lulu
• Apr 20, 2007
• Comments (2)
• Share Story

Readers Comments

• Add a comment

Add A Comment

Submit your own story of kindness.

• Editor Picks

A Cab Ride I'll Never Forget

• Posted by Terry
• 214.4K READS

I Wish You Enough

• Posted by brighte
• 423.1K READS

87 Year Old Woman Named Rose

• Posted by Monsieu
• 404.7K READS

My Hour On the Streets of New York

• Posted by Adam
• 95.6K READS

Life Is Baeutiful.

• Posted by singles
• 82.3K READS

21 Ways To Celebrate Life

• Posted by JZ
• 72.2K READS

Read More Stories >>

Search by keyword.

• Random Acts of Kindness
• Creative Kindness
• Pay It Forward
• Philanthropy
• Inspiration
• Good Samaritan

Subscribe to the Kindness Newsletter

KindSpring is a place to practice small acts of kindness. For over a decade the KindSpring user community has focused on inner transformation, while collectively changing the world with generosity, gratitude, and trust. The site is 100% volunteer-run and totally non-commercial. It is a shared labor of love.

Other servicespace Projects Include

• Conversations
• Karma Kitchen
• Moved by Love

Kindness Essay

Kindness essay is a reflection on the idea of kindness, which is an act of selflessness. Because kindness doesn’t come with the expectation of receiving anything in return, it is a great way to show your appreciation for what you have received in life.

Kindness is always an excellent choice to make in any situation. When someone feels bad or down, the kindness shown can make a person feel more supported and loved. It is an action that anyone can do.

Importance of Kindness Essay

Kindness is a simple yet powerful gesture. It can positively impact someone’s life, and the ripple effect is just as powerful. In the academic community, kindness is thought to be an attitude that influences achievement among people.

Kindness is a form of love and compassion and one that needs to spread throughout the world. It allows people to see the best in others, encouraging them to be their best selves. Allowing kindness to exist for those around us is beneficial for them and ourselves.

It is our responsibility as human beings to be kind to other people. We can be considerate and compassionate towards other people to live in peace and love. Kindness is a virtue, and it is one of the essential things in life. It shows other people that you care about them and takes away some of the pain and suffering that they may be feeling. It can also help heal others, and everyone should always try to think about how their actions will affect others before taking them.

Kindness is vital in every single person’s life. It makes the world a better place and can make someone feel loved. With the help of kindness, you can start your good deeds to make the world a better place.

You can find more essays similar to the kindness essay on BYJU’S website. Also, explore a wide range of exciting kids’ learning resources on the website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kindness.

Kindness is a simple gesture that can positively impact someone’s life. It also helps people be compassionate and considerate towards others.

Why is kindness important?

Kindness is important because it is our responsibility to be kind to others. This helps people to live in peace and love. As a virtue, kindness is one of the essential things in life. It helps us be empathetic towards people and extend our hands to support them.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

• DOI: 10.4236/CE.2021.121017
• Corpus ID: 234205403

Inspiring Educators and a Pedagogy of Kindness: A Reflective Essay

• Elizabeth Gorny-Wegrzyn , B. Perry
• Published in Creative Education 2021
• Education, Philosophy

2 Citations

Lecturer responsiveness in online learning – availability, accessibility, and flexibility: a matter of kindness.

• Highly Influenced

Evidence-Based Course Modification to Support Learner-Centered and Student-Driven Teaching in A Pandemic: Leveraging Digital and Physical Space for Accessible, Equitable, and Motivating Experiential Learning and Scientific Inquiry in A First-Year Biology Course

22 references, kindness and empathy in pedagogy, exploring good teaching practices and needs for improvement: implications for staff development.

• Highly Influential

Kindness in pedagogical practice and academic life

Math-a-polka: mathematics as a place of loving kindness and . . ., teaching community: a pedagogy of hope, pedagogy and the politics of hope: theory, culture, and schooling: a critical reader, for a pedagogy of care, pedagogical values in online and blended learning environments in higher education, problematizing critical pedagogy, factors affecting student engagement: a case study examining two cohorts of students attending a post-1992 university in the united kingdom., related papers.

Showing 1 through 3 of 0 Related Papers

Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

How Kindness Fits Into a Happy Life

We all know that it’s good to be kind to others. Kindness is an important virtue for sustaining relationships, which helps to build a trusting and cooperative society.

You may have also heard that kindness makes you happier and healthier. But what does that mean for you? What acts of kindness will make us happiest, and who tends to benefit the most?

A newly published review of decades of kindness research provides some answers.

In this paper, researchers analyzed the results from 126 research articles looking at almost 200,000 participants from around the world. The studies they chose all had to meet certain criteria, such as including only adults and reporting good statistical data; some were experiments, where people did a kindness practice to observe its effects, while others just surveyed people about how kind and happy they were. The studies measured well-being in a variety of ways, including both mental and physical health.

As expected, people who were kind tended to have higher well-being. Lead researcher Bryant Hui was surprised the relationship was not stronger than it was, but he was still encouraged by the results.

“Although the overall relationship between prosocial (kind and helpful) behavior and well-being is weak, given that so many people around the world act prosocially, the modest effect can still have a significant impact at a societal level,” he says.

A small effect like this—an average of all the participants’ experiences—can sometimes hide other patterns going on below the surface. So, he and his colleagues considered when kindness might have a bigger impact on our well-being.

One thing they found was that people who performed random, informal acts of kindness, like bringing a meal to a grieving friend, tended to be happier than people who performed more formal acts of kindness, like volunteering in a soup kitchen. It’s possible that informal helping may fill our more basic psychological needs for autonomy and close relationships, which is why it could lead to greater happiness.

The researchers also found that people who were kind tended to be higher in “eudaimonic happiness” (a sense of meaning and purpose in life) more than “hedonic happiness” (a sense of pleasure and comfort). Perhaps this makes sense, given that being kind involves effort, which takes away from comfort but could make people feel better about themselves and their abilities, which would provide a sense of meaning.

Being kind came with greater eudaimonic happiness for women than for men, too. According to Hui, this could be because, in many cultures, women are expected to be kinder than men; so, they may have more to gain from it. And younger participants experienced more happiness when they were kind than older participants, perhaps for developmental reasons, he says. Younger adults are at a stage of life where they tend to be figuring out their identity and actively seeking the purpose and meaning in life that kindness can bring, less so than pleasure and comfort.

What other, specific benefits might kindness have? The researchers found that people who were kind tended to have higher self-esteem and a sense of self-efficacy. To a lesser degree, they also experienced less depression and anxiety and improved physical health—with the links to health being strongest in older adults.

Hui doesn’t know for sure why acting kind might have these different effects on different groups, but he points to theories put forth by researcher Elizabeth Midlarsky : Being kind may make us feel better about ourselves as a person or about the meaning of our lives, confirm our self-competence, distract us from our own troubles and stressors, give us a warm-glow feeling, or help us be more socially connected with others. All of these could potentially improve our well-being—reducing our stress, improving our mood, or providing community—and they could hold more importance at different stages of life, too.

By understanding the connection between kindness and well-being, Hui thinks researchers can design better studies that take into account all of the relevant factors, and innovators could create more effective kindness practices. In the future, he hopes there will be kindness apps or online programs that could reach more people, generating a larger impact around the world.

In the meantime, Hui says, the biggest take-home from his research is something he heard the Dalai Lama say long ago: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

“Helping others is a universal virtue and a very affordable and economic way to benefit others’ and our own well-being,” he says. “As the saying goes, helping others is helping yourself.”

About the Author

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie, Psy.D. , is Greater Good ’s former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1998 and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good .

You May Also Enjoy

Three Strategies for Bringing More Kindness into Your Life

Helping Others Can Help You Cope with Lockdown

How to Make Giving Feel Good

Kindness Makes You Happy… and Happiness Makes You Kind

Helping Others Can Help You Feel Better During the Pandemic

What Type of Kindness Will Make You Happiest?

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Kindness — Importance of Kindness in Our World

Importance of Kindness in Our World

• Categories: Kindness

About this sample

Words: 839 |

Published: Jun 5, 2019

Words: 839 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 579 words

6 pages / 2744 words

4 pages / 1763 words

1 pages / 502 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Kindness

At the heart of human interaction lies a fundamental truth: the impact of kindness and generosity transcends individual actions, shaping relationships, communities, and societies. This essay delves into the profound significance [...]

I believe in kindness. These three simple words encapsulate a sentiment that transcends cultural, geographic, and generational boundaries. Kindness is a universal language that speaks to the core of our humanity, reminding us of [...]

Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that has been the subject of countless literary works, philosophical discussions, and scientific studies. While love is often associated with passion, romance, and affection, it is also [...]

In conclusion, kindness has been a transformative force in my life. It has shaped my values, influenced my interactions with others, and broadened my perspective on the world. The experiences I have had, both as a recipient and [...]

Humans are constantly interacting with one another, whether it’s via technology or face to face. These interactions range from conversing at the dinner table to ordering coffee to eye contact made in an elevator. Too often, [...]

At Starbucks, I ordered a Vanilla Latte, and the person behind me had no clue that he would get a free cheesecake, and he is also a teacher at Jupiter High School. It felt very good just to make someone’s day for nothing in [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Writing Prompts

56+ Kindness Writing Prompts 💕

A single act of kindness can change a life. Just a kind word can make someone’s day. So why don’t we do more of it? To celebrate world kindness day, we have made a list of over 56 kindness writing prompts. From reflecting on the importance of kindness to inspirational stories of kindness. If you have a story to share about kindness, you can publish your story online for free on Imagine Forest.

One of the greatest tales of kindness is Aesop’s Fable called The Lion and the Mouse. The moral of this fable is that no act of kindness is ever wasted. Now if you think back to your own life, would you agree with this moral? How has kindness impacted you and those around you? Today, we explore a range of writing and journal prompts about kindness that will help you become a kinder person to others, yourself and even the planet.

Looking for more ways to show kindness? Check out this post on writing a letter to your best friend and this list of cute writing prompts about friendship . You might also enjoy these self-care writing prompts .

56+ Writing Prompts About Kindness

Here is a list of inspirational and reflective kindness writing prompts:

• When was the last time you did something nice for someone who didn’t expect it?
• Think about a time when you were feeling particularly low and there was no one to lift you up. How did that make you feel? What would it mean to have someone say to you: ‘You are enough just as you are?
• Do you know what it’s like to be told that you are perfect in every way? What do you think it means ‘to be perfect?
• If you could spend five minutes with your favourite person, alive or dead, who would they be and why?
• Did you know that by doing one simple thing you can brighten up someone’s day? Can you list at least five ways to show kindness to someone else?
• When you are having a rough time, how can you show more kindness to yourself? Can you think of three things you could tell yourself to cheer yourself up?
• Why are some people kinder than others?
• Think about the word ‘kindness’. Write down three words that come to mind.
• What does kindness look like to you? Is it showing affection towards someone? Doing an unexpected thing for someone? Giving someone a compliment? 
• Have you ever been kind to someone and they did not seem to appreciate it? Why do you think this is? What could you have done differently?
• You have a choice when it comes to being kind. Are you always kind, or do you sometimes choose to be unkind? Is it ever okay to be unkind to someone?
• Did you know that when you are kind to someone, you feel better about yourself? Is this true for you? Do you find yourself wanting to help people who you think are having a hard time in life? Or do you think that it is pointless to be kind to others?
• Is there someone at your school whom you do not get along with very well? If so, why do you think that is? Would it be possible to show them kindness even though you may not like them?
• Keep a kindness diary of your own acts of kindness each day. Try to aim to do at least one act of kindness a day.
• Imagine you are in the position of the person who received the kind deed. What would you want to say to the one who did you a favour or act of kindness? How would you feel or react?
• A boy buys an orange from a street vendor. The vendor is surprised to see someone buying from them. He says that he has never sold an orange in his life. The boy gives the vendor five dollars for the single orange. Why did he do that? Is this an example of kindness?
• How many times do you usually say “I’m sorry”? Did you ever stop to think how much it means to the person you are saying sorry to?
• Write a story about being kind to someone who was unkind to you.
• Sometimes you have to fake it. What is something that you would like to say, but are not really saying it?
• Write a short story titled, “The Kindness of Enemies”. This story is about two characters who hate each other, but after a series of events, they learn the importance of showing kindness to one another.
•  Write a short story about the power of words. Think about a few words or even a single word that can change someone’s life. How could these words improve someone’s life? 
• Write a short story about kindness and forgiveness. Think about a character in your story who needs to forgive someone. How does this person react when they finally decide to forgive their enemy? What do you think will happen if they don’t forgive?
• Write a short story about friendship. You may include a character who is shy, an outcast, a new kid, and/or someone with a disability. You may also have them deal with bullies or loneliness.
• The kind people in your life are just as important as those you love. Tell a story about someone in your life that has always shown kindness to you. What does this person do to show you kindness?
• There are some people in this world who believe that the definition of “kind” means that you have to be nice to everyone all the time. For example, there are times when being kind is not the best thing to do. Can you think of a time when being kind was the wrong choice?
• Imagine you are walking down the street one day and you came across a homeless man who is begging for money. As you walk past the homeless man, you have nothing to give him. What is the best thing to do in this scenario?
• What is the difference between being kind and being a pushover? For example, it’s easier to give away all your money than it is to save for later. However, it is not very kind to be selfish. 
• Write a story about two children that have an important choice to make. One will make the right choice, and one will make the wrong choice when it comes to being kind to a stranger.
• Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell, Kindness.
• Write a short story that features a character who is very kind. But, there’s a twist! The character doesn’t realize the impact of his/her kindness on those around them.
• Write a short story titled, “A Kindness Ritual”. A group of teenagers at a school decide to make their school a nicer place and get rid of all bullies.
• Write a short story titled, “Kindness in a Small Town”. In this story, you will write about a family that moves into a small town. They experience kindness from everyone, their neighbours, the mailman, the cafe owner and even the animals.
• Write an encouraging letter to a friend about all the things you like about them.
• What do you think would happen if we all treated people how we want to be treated?
• Is it better to give something away than to keep it for yourself?
• Write a letter to someone you care about, thanking them for being in your life.
• Write a letter to an elderly person who might be feeling alone or unloved at this time of the year.
• Sometimes being kind doesn’t come naturally. It takes time, practice, and patience. Write a how-to guide on how to be kind to someone.
• Write about something that you have learned from being kind to other people.
• Think about a time when you were not so kind. What happened, and how did it make you feel?
• Make a list of the people in your life who make you smile. For each person, write down one way to show kindness to them.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: Today I will practice being kind to myself, by…
• Write a newspaper article titled, Kindness is contagious. The article could be about a wave of kindness sweeping across a city. 
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: When someone shows me kindness, it makes me feel…”
• Think about someone you know who is kind to others. Write down two or three ways that person shows kindness.
• Finish the following sentence in at least three different ways: I want to be kind to…
• Use this story idea as inspiration: The main character is sick in a hospital and all the kindness this character receives during this hard time. 
• Write down three benefits of being kind to someone else.
• Complete the following sentence in three different ways: I am a kind person because…
• Do you have a friend or family member who needs a kind word right now? How will you help them feel better?
• Think about what would happen if everyone in the world practised acts of kindness every day. How would that make the world a better place?
• It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your answer.
• Continue the following story starter: My father was a kind and gentle man. He had a lot of problems, but he never let them get him down.
• Make a list of three goals relating to kindness for the next month. 
• A little girl who, through the power of a smile, brings happiness to everyone she meets. She is able to do this by showing love and compassion to others. You can use this book title as inspiration, The Power of a Smile.
• A young boy makes a promise to his mom to do one nice thing for someone each day. Each day he writes down in a journal what he did and how he felt before and after. He labels his journal, The Kindness Experiment.

How to Create a Kindness Journal

Using the ideas in this post, you could create your own kindness journal. Here are some additional kindness journal prompts to help you:

• Make a list of ways to show kindness.
• Write some inspiring stories about kindness.
• How can you be more kind to yourself?
• How can you be kinder to the planet?
• Make a list of words related to being kind.
• Update your journal every day with acts of kindness.
• Who is the kindest person you know?
• How can you show appreciation to your friends and family?
• What does kindness mean?
• List some inspiring quotes about kindness

Learn to be a kinder person with these amazing kindness writing prompts. Did you find this post useful? Let us know in the comments below.

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

Related Posts

Comments loading...

•    Home

The purpose of this reflective essay was to explore the literature on educators that employ kindness as an approach to pedagogy in higher education. Through a series of reflections, we then considered how educators using a teaching philosophy guided by a pedagogy of kindness influenced learners ’  lives, enhanced their social consciousness, and facilitated meaningful learning. To begin, we summarized research reports from peer-reviewed journals and articles from grey literature. Questions that guided the literature search were, how does the use of a teaching philosophy based on a pedagogy of kindness affect the learning environment for students and does it modify their attitudes towards social injustice, does this teaching philosophy improve academic outcomes for learners, and is there a possible link between a pedagogy of kindness and teaching success? In sum, the literature revealed that a teaching philosophy based on a pedagogy of kindness is a common approach used by inspiring educators. Further, this teaching philosophy positively influences students, their learning environments, their educational achievements, and engages them to reflect on issues of social justice. A pedagogy of kindness also results in increased career fulfillment for teachers. Our reflections provide examples of these conclusions.

Pedagogy of Kindness , Higher Education , Exemplary Teachers , Teaching Strategies , Reflective Writing

Share and Cite:

“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.” Plato ( Edberg, 2020b ).

1. Introduction

Throughout history, philosophers, academics, and researchers have deliberated about education, its purpose, practices, and underlying philosophical ideals ( Siegel, 2010 ). Educational issues considered and debated since ancient times include the educational rights of learners and of society as a whole; the essential and desired curricula taking into account ethical, social, and political considerations; and the attributes and responsibilities of educators including, what teaching philosophies and strategies they should employ ( Serbati et al., 2020 ; Siegel, 2010 ).

Presently, there still exists a social structure in higher teaching institutions that can be oppressive, paternalistic, and domineering ( Breuing, 2011 ). This construct creates unequal power distribution in the teacher-student dyad. The educator can be the oppressor and the learner the oppressed, in that the teacher has the authority and the power and the student has none ( Breuing, 2011 ; Giroux, 1997 ; Thomas, 2019 ; Weiler, 2001 ). This hierarchal structure of power, where the learner is dependent on the teacher, weakens social consciousness and undermines necessary social change (in terms of equality in race, gender, class, age, religion, and culture) ( Breuing, 2011 ). To counter this unequal distribution of power, theorists expound on pedagogies that can help equalize these differentials, enabling learners to think independently and have a voice of their own.

Some theorists and academics endorse the concepts of critical pedagogy, which aims to support a world that is more socially just ( Breuing, 2011 ; Giroux, 1997 ). Critical pedagogy is student-centered, politically oriented to social equality and change, includes practical experiences both inside and outside of the classroom adjoined to theory and is empowering and emancipatory for students of diverse backgrounds and life experiences ( Breuing, 2011 ; Giroux, 1997 ). Other theorists espouse pedagogies based on hope ( Hooks, 2003 ). In her book, Teaching Community : A Pedagogy of Hope , hooks champions a pedagogy where a sense of community, kinship, and unity with others (both in the academy and in the outside world) is maintained and where students and educators can work together as equal partners in a learning environment that can expand minds and enhance social consciousness.

In our current time of struggle with matters of race, gender, and class, we need a pedagogy that can help learners from diverse cultures and backgrounds become empowered, have an active voice in their learning experiences, become more engaged with class activities and issues of social justice, and feel more worthy as students and as human beings. Many theorists believe that a pedagogy of kindness (along with care and compassion) can meet these goals ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ; Groves et al., 2015 ; Hativa et al., 2001 ; Loreman, 2011 ; Serbati et al., 2020 ; Thomas, 2019 ). Clegg and Rowland (2010) note that addressing kindness in higher education pedagogy may unsettle the established systems of the institution, those of “neo-liberal assumptions that place value on utility and cost above other human values” (p. 720). Yet, Clegg and Rowland (2010) also assert that kindness used in pedagogy can enhance learning environments and learner outcomes and forge an educator-student bond that commits to social justice.

In this reflective essay, we expound on the theme of inspiring educators, their teaching philosophies, and their influence on students' lives and success. We examine the literature related to one specific teaching philosophy, a pedagogy of kindness, and look at the outcomes for learners and educators when this philosophy is utilized. Specifically, we explore how outstanding educators who follow a teaching philosophy guided by a pedagogy of kindness influence students' academic and personal lives. We searched and summarized the literature on the attributes of extraordinary educators; we also explored these educators’ use of a teaching philosophy that uses kindness (as well as care, compassion, and empathy) in their pedagogy. We asked the questions, how does the use of a teaching philosophy founded on a pedagogy of kindness affect students' learning environments, and does this philosophy help improve academic outcomes and increase social consciousness for learners? Finally, we included a series of personal reflections (from both an educator’s and student’s point of view). The student reflections focus on experiences with exceptional educators who used kindness in their pedagogy and how these experiences touched and changed the student’s life and learning. Reflections from an educator who follows this teaching philosophy provide additional answers to the questions posed.

2. Defining a Pedagogy of Kindness and the Link to Educator Success

A pedagogy of kindness is a teaching philosophy that is guided by kindness, compassion, and care ( Hativa et al., 2001 ; Serbati et al., 2020 ). The use of kindness, which includes care and empathy as a teaching strategy in higher education, can positively influence learning environments and learner outcomes ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ). Educators who can identify with students and form strong teacher-student relationships positively impact learners’ feelings of self-worth, and these educators can favorably influence learners’ academic achievements ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ). Moreover, kindness as a foundation for an educational relationship can also be significant as a commitment to social justice. Clegg and Rowland (2010) explain, “kindness as a public virtue, built upon a commitment to social justice, embraces critique. In educational research, the term ‘critical friend’ is used by action researchers to describe the relationship between co-enquirers (be they researchers or students) who share a commitment to social justice. It combines the kindness of friendship with the critique of the educator” (p. 723). The use of kindness as a pedagogical philosophy is a complicated concept that requires an instructor to significantly identify with student concerns and try to see things from their perspective. This deep understanding of each student's individual struggles as they work to grasp new ways of learning is one of the qualities found in inspirational educators ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ).

Other qualities of outstanding educators include being organized, animated, and communicating with clarity and enthusiasm, but just as importantly, extraordinary instructors empathize with students and form educator-learner connections based on mutual trust and respect ( Hativa et al., 2001 ; Serbati et al., 2020 ). The use of kindness as a pedagogical strategy can benefit learner outcomes because students who feel valued become more engaged and feel motivated to try harder at academic endeavors ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ). As well, the use of kindness in higher education pedagogy can nurture learning environments where students feel comfortable in exchanging ideas with each other (and with the teacher) and where learners actively listen and cooperate ( Magnet et al., 2014 ). The exchange of divergent thoughts and the freedom to voice opinions in an academic setting can foster intellectual curiosity and can help change prejudicial attitudes toward social injustices ( Breuing, 2011 ; Magnet et al., 2014 ).

Current literature reveals that the most significant factor in encouraging student learning and promoting favorable learner outcomes is the development of educator-student relationships based on kindness, respect, and empathy ( Khan & Armstrong, 2019 ). Successful and effective teaching strategies put the focus on students, improving both their learning environments and their satisfaction with learning experiences ( Henard & Roseveare, 2012 ). Increasing student satisfaction makes learners more engaged in scholastic endeavors and thus enhances their achievement of learning outcomes ( Hativa et al., 2001 ; Serbati et al., 2020 ). In the same sense, strong academic connections and using kindness to cultivate those connections can spark students’ interest and engage them to participate in discussions that may enlighten their social consciousness ( Magnet et al., 2014 ).

The literature consistently shows that educators who work to create mutually respectful bonds with learners establish rich and satisfying learning environments that lead to positive learner outcomes ( Hativa et al., 2001 ; Serbati et al., 2020 ). A case study of two cohorts of university students (and their reflections on academic life) by Groves et al. (2015) concluded that the most significant factor positively impacting student engagement, student involvement in studies, and learner success was the educator-student relationship. Further, the students’ observations in the Groves et al. study on teacher-student relationships indicated that learners appreciated instructors who were proficient, organized, and animated but placed more value on teachers who were welcoming, accessible, and who had a sincere interest in the students’ personal and academic lives (2015). A student's reflections in an online graduate program that follows illustrate the effects of a pedagogy of kindness on learners. Likewise, the educator’s reflection that follows demonstrates that a pedagogy of kindness has mutual benefits for learners and educators.

3. A Student’s Experience with a Pedagogy of Kindness

Returning to university to pursue my Master of Nursing degree was always a dream of mine. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the year 2000 and then devoted myself to my growing family and my nursing career. In the back of my mind, though, this dream quietly lived and flourished.

In 2018, when my youngest son turned 18, I decided it was time to try and attain my dream. I was filled with excitement but also with trepidation. I wondered if I could achieve my goal after being out of the academic field for 18 years. Would I be able to succeed at a higher level of learning? Would I be disciplined enough to manage a family, a home, a career, and an education? I wasn’t sure, but I knew I wanted to try. I thought of the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “What is not started today is never finished tomorrow” ( Edberg, 2020a ).

The Master of Nursing program I enrolled in was online, and the courses were self-paced. When I started my first two courses, I felt lost in all the new technology; the online conferencing, the forums, and I thought that I might fail. As well, some people discouraged me and asked why I was going back to school at my age? I knew that the initial difficulties I faced were due to rusty study habits that could be re-trained and that in time I would familiarize myself with the online format. I reflected on my decision again and finally answered with a quote by George Bernard Shaw, “You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’” ( Edberg, 2020a ).

At the beginning of my academic journey, I found the work demanding, and often time-management was a problem. My first assignment was not as successful as I had expected (not failing but not the A I hoped for), and I questioned my decision again. I thought about withdrawing from the program, but one of my instructors reached out to me and asked me to call her. The professor asked me to explain what thoughts I was trying to express and convey in my assignment. She actively listened to my answers and encouraged me with understanding. That phone call instilled new confidence and motivated me to continue to walk down the path that eventually led to my graduation. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had just encountered an exceptional educator who espoused a pedagogy of kindness.

In using a pedagogy of kindness as her teaching philosophy, the instructor in my story motivated me to continue my studies and made me feel valued as both a student and a human being. In allowing me to voice my opinions and thoughts actively she made the newly gained knowledge more meaningful, and as described by Giroux (1997) “emancipatory”. Throughout my academic journey, I noticed that many educators I considered outstanding seemed to exude empathy, understanding, and concern and thereby inspired me academically. My educational experiences were all positive and enriching during my two years of study, yet some experiences were more inspiring than others. The factors that elevated class participation and engagement to a higher level were due to the qualities I observed in these exceptional educators. Looking back now, I realize the instructors who made the most significant impact on my life and learning (and on the lives and learning of other students) were those educators who used a pedagogy of kindness as their teaching philosophy. In brief, they cared.

In another instance, when I reflect on my most influential, enriching, and memorable course on the topic of leadership, I realize that the instructor (who was an inspiration to us all) formed a mutually respectful and trusting educator-learner relationship with each student in our class. Our professor had all the attributes of an outstanding educator, and she consistently conveyed a teaching philosophy founded on a pedagogy of kindness. She was able to identify with each student and was able to meet each learner’s unique needs in a compassionate and individualized approach.

Denial (2019) and Serbati et al. (2020) describe exceptional educators as those who have a passion for teaching, empathy toward students, and who feel that students’ contributions to the development of teaching strategies are valuable and beneficial. Exemplary teachers are also knowledgeable about their subject matter and use innovative and creative teaching methods to engage students and capture their attention ( Hativa et al., 2001 ; Khan & Armstrong, 2019 ). Outstanding educators can identify with students and understand and better meet their individual and diverse needs ( Loreman, 2011 ). Inspiring teachers help build an “intellectual community” and foster a learning environment of open communication and collaboration to help stimulate thoughts on social justice ( Magnet et al., 2014 ). As well, exceptional teachers can adapt to existing challenges in higher education, such as technological advancements in teaching methods, movement from a traditional to online learning milieu, and increasingly diverse student populations ( Contact North, 2015 ; Henard & Roseveare, 2012 ).

Our instructor in the leadership class mentioned above exemplified the qualities of an extraordinary educator who abided by a pedagogy of kindness. At that time, not being aware of kindness as a strategy in pedagogy, I could not articulate these thoughts. Now, on reflection, I understand why the instructor and the course were so exceptional. Our learning activities were inspiring, innovative, and thought-provoking. The class debates and dialogues were always stimulating and engaging. Every student participated with enthusiasm. We were encouraged and gently guided by our instructor to voice our opinions, thoughts, and feelings and reflect on personal experiences and apply them to our discussions. As learners, we sometimes had different viewpoints as we came from diverse backgrounds and had different life experiences. Yet, our teacher made each one of us feel that our opinions were valid and important. Through these discussions, we built connections and learned to collaborate with others.

Other instructional activities stirred our emotions and helped us achieve affective domain learning outcomes. We explored photos, videos, and inspirational quotes related to the course themes in terms of what they meant to us and our work and personal experiences. We were encouraged to explore our feelings, attitudes, biases, and values. Every sense was stimulated and engaged through these activities, and that made the class a satisfying and enriching experience. As the literature revealed, and demonstrated in this class, strong educator-learner relationships and challenging learning environments lead to increased student engagement, increased insights into social injustices, and improved learner outcomes. The students in this class strived harder and accomplished more due to the teacher's encouragement and validation that our thoughts were important and valuable. The sharing of thoughts and ideas, many different from our own, enabled us to understand our differences and to raise our awareness of social injustice. The instructor's pedagogy of kindness was the foundation of her, and our, success.

4. An Educator’s Reflection on a Pedagogy of Kindness

As children we are all taught to be kind. It is the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” ( Puka, 2020, para. 1 ). Kindness has roots in religion, sociology, philosophy, and psychology but does it have a place in education? Values associated with the Golden Rule such as empathy and caring are considered attributes of “good” people but are they appropriate and useful values of exemplary educators?

Kindness is defined as “the quality of being generous, helpful, and caring about other people, or an act showing this quality” ( Cambridge University Press, n.d. ). When we become educators, we are counselled that we must be fair, well-prepared, credible, and scholarly but being kind or empathic toward learners is seldom mentioned. Specifically, I was encouraged to maintain professional distance from students and to be serious and even strict especially during the initial classes in a semester. The rational for presenting with this demeanor was to “keep students from taking advantage of me” and to ensure that I maintained discipline and order in the classroom.

As I proceeded through my almost 30-year career teaching in-person, blended, and online classes in higher education institutions I began to question this advice. I read about the “pedagogy of kindness” and the “pedagogy of care” and I realized what an essential role the educator’s values play in the student experience. Willard (1929) was an early believer in the role of kindness in successful teaching and learning and Arnold (2005) specified the value of empathy in the form of empathetic intelligence as part of a pedagogy of kindness.

In discussing the evolution of a pedagogy of kindness in higher education Magnet et al. (2014) note that kindness has traditionally been feminized and devalued. These same authors assert that being kind, as a pedagogical strategy, can eliminate dominance, oppression, and competition in the academy ( Magnet et al., 2014 ) facilitating justice and a sense of community ( Palahicky, et al., 2019 ). Loreman (2011) frames this approach to teaching as love which includes kindness, empathy, intimacy, and bonding, sacrifice and forgiveness, and acceptance and community.

Through various experiences with students (and considerable self-reflection), I learned that an educator’s values impact student performance and therefore specific values, such as those that are part of a pedagogy of kindness, are essential to teaching success ( Palahicky, et al., 2019 ). An early formative experience with a nursing student I will call Jasmine started me on the path of integrating kindness into my practice. Jasmine was a quiet learner, always attending class but rarely speaking up to answer or ask questions. She always seemed somewhat preoccupied and left the classroom the instant class was over without socializing with the other students. I found myself concerned about her state of well-being and as the term progressed her physical appearance became increasingly disheveled and the preoccupation and vacant glances out the window during class happened more often. As my concern for Jasmine grew, I felt a need to reach out to her to see if she needed help, yet I held back as my colleagues all warned again “getting involved” in a student’s personal life. Yet her personal situation seemed to be negatively impacting her academic performance, so I decided to act.

The next day in class Jasmine appeared agitated and even more aloof and I couldn’t resist any longer. I slipped her a tiny yellow sticky note that said, “if you need to talk, I am here for you.” Although I waited Jasmine didn’t come to me after class to pour out her heart as I had anticipated. She continued to come to class, finished the term, and passed the course. On the last day of our class she dropped an envelope on my desk. I opened it after everyone had departed. Inside the envelope was my little yellow sticky note and under my words “if you need to talk, I am here for you” Jasmine had written “thanks for caring, it made all the difference.” I still have that sticky note in my box of special teaching memories.

Jasmine taught me much about how a pedagogy of kindness can lift a struggling learner so that that person can keep pursuing their academic goals. She also taught me that acts of kindness and empathy do not necessarily have to be overly time-consuming, intense, or “big” overtures. Kindness is often most intensely experienced through seemingly tiny gestures rendered with sincerity. Finally, the experience with Jasmine taught me that a pedagogy framed in kindness has positive effects on learners, but it equally has positive impacts on educators. A pedagogy of kindness has mutual benefits. I may have helped Jasmine with my small act of kindness and a willingness to be open to her sharing her worries and circumstances with me, but she equally impacted me in a positive way. As an educator knowing that I can care about students and rather than losing control of the discipline of the classroom I can enhance their learning experience and support them to succeed gives me intense career fulfillment. It also motivates me to continue to strive to be the best educator I can be.

5. Conclusion

Inspirational educators who adopt the use of kindness (including care and compassion) in their pedagogy engage and motivate students to try harder in their academic efforts leading to positive student outcomes ( Hativa et al., 2001 ; Serbati et al., 2020 ). The literature consistently shows that extraordinary instructors who espouse a teaching philosophy founded on a pedagogy of kindness make a significant impact on students’ lives and learning achievements ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ; Groves et al., 2015 ; Hativa et al., 2001 ; Serbati et al., 2020 ; Thomas, 2019 ). These exceptional teachers understand the unique needs of students from diverse backgrounds and cultivate learning environments that promote a sense of community and partnership ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ; Magnet et al., 2014 ). Through the reflections of a student and an educator on the use of kindness in pedagogy, we realize that learners who encounter educators abiding by this teaching philosophy are fortunate. Not only do these students potentially have better learning outcomes, but their academic experiences are also enhanced, and their personal lives may be made richer. Extraordinary educators who make learners feel valued increase the possibility of academic success while reinforcing students’ worth as human beings. Inspirational educators also encourage sharing diverse thoughts, opinions, life experiences, and values and thereby advance reflection on social justice ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ; Magnet et al., 2014 ). Kindness is a quality in instructors that is not always encouraged by institutional administrators and may be criticized as too emotional and not rigorous enough for academia ( Clegg & Rowland, 2010 ). Yet, as demonstrated in the reflections, this teaching approach can have profoundly positive effects on learners and educators. We argue that kindness can and should play a valuable role in pedagogy in higher education because it can positively influence learner environments, learning outcomes, teaching success, and promote discourse on social justice. Encouraging a pedagogy of kindness is much more that being kind, it is a pedagogy that challenges learners to see beyond their existing world views to appreciate and value self and others. It helps build resilience and confidence in students making them better citizens and more compassionate human beings. Finally, enacting a pedagogy based on values of caring helps educators inspire and be inspired in return.

This project was funded by an SSHRC Insight grant.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

•   Articles
•   Archive
•   Indexing
•   Aims & Scope
•   Editorial Board
•   For Authors
•   Publication Fees

Journals Menu  

• Open Special Issues
• Published Special Issues
• Special Issues Guideline
• E-Mail Alert
• CE Subscription
• Publication Ethics & OA Statement
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recommend to Peers
• Recommend to Library
• History Issue

Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .

• Journals A-Z

About SCIRP

• Publication Fees
• For Authors
• Peer-Review Issues
• Special Issues
• Manuscript Tracking System
• Subscription
• Translation & Proofreading
• Volume & Issue
• Open Access
• Publication Ethics
• Preservation
• Privacy Policy