For Thought
Wednesday 18 May 2011
The following are some results from McCrindle Research that surveyed Australians about happiness, giving and receiving kindness and the power of goodness. The surveys were carried out in 2010.
These are some of the results.
Kindness works both ways
Kindness is a good luck charm, it seems. Almost nine in every ten Australians admit to going out of their way – either regularly, or every now and then – to help strangers. And being on the receiving end of kindness also puts a smile on our faces, with 88% saying that 'being helped by a stranger after dropping items or
struggling with shopping' makes them feel extremely or very happy.
When asked what attribute about a person makes the most impact, the response is unanimous. Forget intelligence, looks, a way with words or status. Practically everyone – a massive 98% - says it’s all about how a person treats others; and 88% rank a person’s outlook on life as a defining characteristic.
98% “It’s extremely/very important how we treat others.”
93% of Australians want to hear more positive news stories.
81% get a kick out of giving a thank you gift.
80% of us want to be remembered for our service to others.
How do you change a life for the better?
'Kindness, encouragement and support'
We have many opportunities both in our separate lives and as a community to ensure that we are thoughtful in our dealings with each other – kindness is not just a 'Pollyanna' fixed smile but is often anonymous but real. Sometimes it is also very strong and determined way of acting in order to give another person the
opportunity to make their own decisions and set their own course. It is useless to sentimentalise kindness if it is to be really effective.