Kindness Is Contagious (2014) Online

This is a documentary that should be seen by every school age child in America. It will help children and adults understand how to deal with life and how only one kind act can make the world a better place. It will make you want to go out and buy a meal for a homeless person, or help someone in need. The author of the book "Pay it Forward" talks about her research in the film. Scientists have studied the effects of "kindness" and talk about their results in the film. You will be inspired to test the theories. It's an amazing movie you will want to watch over and over! Buy it, rent it on Netflix, show it to your family, school and community; show it to your church, Boy Scout Troop, Girl Scout Troop...the benefits go on and on! Together, we can make this world a better place!

Ironically, before viewing this film, I witnessed an act of kindness today on the roadways. I was in the traffic flow when suddenly, some 4 or 5 car lengths ahead, both lanes in my direction came to a complete and abrupt stop. Initially I thought there was an accident, as a young lady emerged from her car and bent over the roadway, only to carry something onto the grassy side of the road, then returned to her vehicle as impatient drivers illegally sped onto the median to pass. As traffic started up again, within a minute, I looked over to the grass and saw a turtle scurrying off into the brush, and realized this young lady chose to save an animal's life rather than have it killed by the speeding cars.

In this documentary, directed by David Gaz, and narrated by the acclaimed author Catherine Ryan Hyde ("Pay It Forward"), it focuses on how acts of kindness, no matter how small,can have a profound effect on the universe. My favorite part of the movie was when the filmmakers asked many people what was the kindest thing anyone ever did for them. Their answers, I thought, were most touching and heart-rending.

Also, the film mentions Karma and what we put out in the world can eventually come back to us in one form or another, and that people who are kind, statistics show, live longer, as a rule, and have better relationships than mean people.

Of course, with today's media focusing on violence, terrorism, atrocities etc., it's difficult to filter through the negativity, and realize there's plenty of people and organizations in this world that strive to be kind and help others, even if the gesture is as small as gently patting another person on the back or giving them a hug.

Overall, at only 1 hr. and 14 min. this documentary buoyed my spirits and made me realize again that even if we don't see it on the news there are plenty of kind acts being performed every day across the globe.

This documentary provides personal stories, research study facts and recommendations. In the opinion of my husband and myself, we think this film should be shown to schools, churches, prisons, and other social groups. In fact, we are going to attempt to make it available to the public by showing it at the public library.

This documentary offers a concrete way in which each of us can make a difference in our world. By seeing the examples of every day people begin to embrace kindness as a daily behavior, the viewer can choose to do the same.

In my opinion, it is a "must see" film and then a "must do" opportunity.

Consider the "Butterfly Effect," the concept that something as seemingly insignificant as a butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world can impact the weather in another part. The flapping wings cause an atmospheric change that then sets off a series of events that ultimately leads to something significant happening. Like the butterfly effect, one small, kind act can set off a series of positive events.

Watching this movie can help set this chain reaction of kindness in motion. You'll feel more connected to the concept of being nice, of being kind, which will help you become more aware of the acts of kindness constantly taking place around us. You'll then be motivated to contribute acts of kindness, which will add to the effect.

It's like the old children's song that said when you give away your love, you end up having more. The same is true for kindness.

I had the opportunity to see a screening of Kindness is Contagious in Northern California. It is a must see movie and will not only leave you with a good feeling, but that being kind is also a practical thing to do. In the movie I was given the tools and reinforcement that kindness is not just a good idea but a much healthier and fulfilling way to live in the world, for yourself and for those people around you. We were also presented with scientific evidence with our how our bodies and psyche respond to kindness versus the opposite of that. I am planning to screen the movie to my neighborhood, through our association and make sure we all view it together, family, friends and associates. It is worth your time.

Michael