Kindness leads to happiness
By Takashi Omiya
Professor Sonja Lynbomirsky, a psychologist at the University of California-Riverside, recently conducted a study and found a direct relationship between participants regularly practicing random acts of kindness and an increase in happiness.
Recently, a local restaurant chain started a "Random Acts of Kindness" promotion. Big City Diner customers nominate someone and share their story of kindness. TV stations select the winner and feature them on Wednesday-night telecasts. The winners have included 82-year-old Beatrice, a Salvation Army volunteer bell-ringer; 81-year-old Ramsey, entertaining patients with his guitar at Pearl City Nursing Home on holidays; and Aunty Edwina, who helps kindergarten children read and write.
As I enter into the golden age of 81, I've received many random acts of kindness:
Reading the daily newspapers, we find that persons doing random acts of kindness are boundless. There are the many blood-donation volunteers for injured Honolulu Police motorcycle officer Steve Favela; the 105 Pearl City Community Church members visiting shut-ins and care home residents and singing Christmas carols; and thousand of donors to the Advertiser Christmas Fund.
My random acts of kindness are simple: A friendly comment with a smile, and a smile is returned; assisting neighbors and friends, and a smile is returned in gratitude.
Observing, reading and receiving the many random acts of kindness, I realize, like the song, it's a wonderful world. What motivates the number of random acts of kindness by people of all nationalities and various religious faiths? Is it the abiding mother's legacy of compassion — doing it from the heart, or the teaching of their religious faith?
At our weekly Sunday service, our minister, the Rev. Komagata, led us in "Ti-Sarana (The Three Treasures)": "I go to the Buddha for guidance. I go to the dharma (teaching) for guidance. I go to the sangha (temple family) for guidance." Also we recite the pledge "The Golden Chain" led by Remi, 5-year-old daughter of our minister, to guide our daily life.
"I am a link in the Lord Buddha's golden chain of love that stretches around the world. I must keep my link bright and strong. ... I will try to think pure and beautiful thoughts, to say pure and beautiful words, and to do pure and beautiful deeds, knowing that what I do now deepens my happiness or misery. May every link in Lord Buddha's golden chain become bright and strong, and we all attain perfect peace."
Happiness is our quest. Let us make random acts of kindness our resolution to be happy each day.
Takashi Omiya is a member of Aiea Taiheiji Soto Mission.
