by Robyn Kirby of Kind Choices
Robyn works for Humane Research Australia, is an animal activist and owns and runs Melbourne-based vegan boutique Kind Choices supporting Animals, People and Environment.
The Art of Kindness
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind” – Unknown
This is a quote that resonates with people of all upbringings and cultures. It is well recognized that doing something kind improves the well-being of the person performing the act, as much as the recipient.
Scientific benefits of being kind
According to Psychology Today, being nice to others can boost your health! Kind acts release serotonin (the neurotransmitter that gives us the feeling of satisfaction and well-being) which also aids in lowering blood pressure and improving overall heart-health.
Your brain’s pleasure and reward centers light up, as if you were the recipient of the good deed! This phenomenon has a name – the “helper’s high.”
Sociologist and happiness expert at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, Christine Carter, quotes a study where about half of participants reported that they felt stronger and more energetic after helping others, with many feeling calmer and less depressed, with increased feelings of self-worth.
Also, according a 2010 Harvard Business School survey of happiness in 136 countries it was found that people who are altruistic—in this case study, people who were generous financially, such as with charitable donations—were happiest overall.
Overall it can be concluded that doing what you feel is morally correct, you may live a little longer, and definitely happier.
World Kindness Day
World Kindness day is observed on 13th November each year to “highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us. Kindness is a fundamental part of the human condition which bridges the divides of race religion, politics, gender and zip codes.” (Source: Wikipedia).
Fair Trade Hessian Sack available from Kind Choices
Shopping Kind
Not all of us can rescue an animal, work in developing countries or give funding to charity, but we can make simple, everyday, kind choices when it comes to shopping. From home furnishings to food to clothing and accessories, the kind shopping choices we make can have a positive effect on the well-being of animals, people and environment.
We are aware of the environmental and ecological destruction at the hands of humans; we know certain cosmetics and household products are cruelly tested on animals and we know that the production of many goods involves sweat shop labour. But can we change this by making kinder choices in our shopping habits?
Related: Ethical Brand Directory – Bath and Body brands
I think the answer is yes, we can! Kind Choices, my small Melbourne business, attempts to provide a source of lovely functional products that are kind to animals, people and the environment including biodegradable vegan wallets, home furnishings and décor made with jute and recycled papers by artisans in developing countries.
Look at your hand bag or home furnishings and ask yourself what impact that product had. Can you make a kinder choice to purchase perhaps a not tested on animals, an eco-friendly product?
I acknowledge that purchasing everything that is fair-trade is almost impossible but that is no reason not try to make considered choices.
And although we Australians love to buy new clothes (and wallets and bags and home-wares) once we tire of them, 85% ends up in landfill. Clothing made from polyester can take 200 years to break down. How many people (mainly women) suffered long and torturous hours to produce these products in sweat shop conditions? It is time to consider purchasing second-hand, better quality clothes or fair-trade where possible.
Change comes by way of small steps and we aim to help people continue to take those small kind steps.
Robyn Kirby works for Humane Research Australia, and owns and runs Melbourne-based vegan boutique Kind Choices supporting Animals, People and Environment.
I came to the issues of animal and human rights at about the same time – approximately 30 years ago when I picked up an animal liberation book by Christine Townend. Her book gave accounts of the conditions in which factory farmed animals live and the plight of animals in laboratories. This was the catalyst for a change in my life and I became vegetarian (and later vegan). I strongly believe it is possible to purchase only animal friendly products and take delight in offering these items, that are really beautiful, unique and spread happiness.
Edited by Sophie Newman for Ethical Fashion Review™.
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