美国国家公共电台 NPR--It's Random Acts of Kindness Week（在线收听）

It's Random Acts of Kindness Week

Transcript

For more than 20 years, the nonprofit Random Acts of Kindness has been spreading just that: kindness. The president of the group talks about why kindness is important.

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

For more than 20 years, the nonprofit Random Acts of Kindness has been spreading, well, just that - kindness. And then this week marks the annual celebration when everyone is encouraged to join in.

GARY DIXON: Just smile at someone. Let someone into traffic. Write a note to someone doing a good job in your company or at home. So it can be the smallest act.

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

That's Gary Dixon, the president of the organization. He says tens of thousands of folks, all ages, participate.

DIXON: We provide materials. We provide hundreds of ideas. It's very powerful. It can change enemies into friends, you know? It changes how you feel about yourself.

MARTIN: Dixon says, obviously, kindness makes people happier and reduces stress levels, but one case in particular sticks out to him.

DIXON: Tom Tait, who was formerly the mayor of Anaheim, Calif., challenged the Anaheim School District to do a million acts of kindness. And so they did. And they did a comparison to the months before, you know, 12 months before that, and they had reduced their bullying in half by simply doing a million acts of kindness.

FADEL: So as you go about your week, remember to smile. Maybe buy someone a cup of coffee. All those random acts of kindness? They go a long way.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "HAPPY")

PHARRELL: (Singing) Because I'm happy. Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof.