Here’s a New York subway example from 2019. A mother drops her wallet while juggling her two toddlers as she struggles to board. A stranger on his way to a meeting briskly walks to the mother and hands her the wallet. Hours later, the mother described her experience on social media and how she was thankful for the chaos. Regarding the impact of kindness, the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley has conducted research. The studies show that witnessing or performing an act of kindness promotes the flow of oxytocin, a hormone that increases feelings of stress and emotional wellness. This is where mercy comes in. The act of extending mercy has an effect on the brain and increases levels of joy. Out of chaos and acts of kindness comes happiness.
Forgiving the Unforgivable
One of the most gut-wrenching acts of mercy was in a South Africa 2022 parole hearing. A man who, in apartheid, was convicted of the murder of a young woman’s family, was trying to get released, petitioning the young woman. Instead of the rage that one would expect, she said, “I want the best for you.” This shocking statement was footage that went viral, but justice was not served in the eyes of the law, because she legally disarmed him, and she, in a way, liberated herself from the prison of her own bitter anger. In the Harvard Grant Study, the longest study of adult development, those who forgive others report greater life satisfaction and even improved health, in the case of blood pressure, improved health condition. The woman, with her choice, did not get rid of the pain, but she did obtain a happiness that, as she put it, “freedom I never knew.” It is true that mercy toward others is often the greatest gift that a person can give themselves, perhaps, mercy is getting what one needs most, not what one wants, and it is the most important. When scars of the spirit heal instead of turning the spirit into the desolate, sources of strength can emerge from the spirit.
The Goodness of Humanity
Kindness is humanity’s primary response to disaster. During the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes, a local merchant in Gaziantep kept his shop open 24 hours a day to provide free bread, water, and blankets to survivors while they sifted through the rubble. He lost his home, but gained priceless stories from rescue workers about his heroism. One, a father, found his child alive because of the bread given to him. He was so encouraged that he went on to help others in the community. The World Happiness report also documents the phenomenon of kindness in the wake of crises and how it leads to sudden increases in the happiness of that nation’s citizens. The man in the story, by showing kindness and giving without expecting anything in return, saved people’s lives and forged community. His act of kindness also demonstrates that the community’s happiness is directly proportional to the kindness displayed in that community.
The Unsung Everyday Heroes
Not all powerful moments make headlines, some whisper in daily life. Take Sarah, a nurse in rural India who in 2024, waived fees for treatment of an elderly farmer despite the clinic’s fee structure. He couldn’t pay, but her mercy kept him alive to see his grandson graduate. Months later, that grandson returned with a handcrafted quilt, symbolizing his gratitude that warmed more than the fabric. Positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman notes in his PERMA model (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment) that kindness fuels all five pillars, creating sustained happiness. Mercy is simply an act demonstrating that one cares about the hardships of others. These unassuming acts burn the most without needing the largest resourcing.
| Act of Kindness | Immediate Impact | Long-Term Happiness Boost |
|---|---|---|
| Smiling at a stranger | Reduces cortisol by 20% (per UC Berkeley study) | Builds social connections, up 15% life satisfaction |
| Forgiving a wrong | Lowers heart disease risk by 30% (Harvard data) | Increases emotional resilience over years |
| Sharing resources in crisis | Saves lives directly | Strengthens community trust, per World Happiness Report |
| Waiving a debt | Relieves immediate burden | Fosters reciprocity, enhancing giver’s purpose |
Animals and the Universal Language of Mercy
Kindness knows no species, and brings joy in many ways. A 2025 viral video from a Brazilian shelter, showed a volunteer showing mercy towards an abused dog, who was cowering in fear. The volunteer gently petted the dog and waited patiently until the dog was transformed into a tail-wagging creature who was adopted into a loving family. The volunteer was visibly elated and stated the dog’s transformation helped heal her grief from loss. Mercy, interacting with rescued animals, was shown to reduce symptoms of depression by 25% (American Psychological Association, Animal-assisted therapy), underscoring the power of mercy and the healing effects of compassion. Many moments like these exist to remind us that compassion knows no bounds, creating pure and boundless joy
When compassion is chosen instead of power, true leadership stands out.
In 1990, Nelson Mandela chose reconciliation instead of revenge when he was released from prison. Reconciliation invited the enemy and gave him a reason to heal. Mandela acted and the healing of an entire nation began. Mandela showed that happiness is not a fleeting feeling but a lasting peace. Gallup post apartheid showed increased in happiness in South Africa which was mercy. Great leaders like Nelson Mandela show us that mercy is like a scale. The first thing it does is turn personal joy into social happiness.
Lasting Joy from Sustained Kindness
Subway smiles, hugs at shelters, forgiveness hearings, crisis aid, and more, prove kindness and mercy are not optional. Sustained acts of kindness are an absolute joy. Kindness is a universal joy. Joy is universal. Here are 12 examples of kindness from different parts of the world: (1) Return of a lost wallet on the subway. (2) Forgiving acts of apartheid. (3) Earthquake shopkeeper acts of kindness. (4) Nurse who free services (5) Volunteer at DogShelter Chicago. (6) Mandella’s Reconciliation. (7) Chicago 2021 tutor struggle win college advocacy. (8) 2024 LA Traffic Jam Family Merge Driver. (9) 2023 London Office Colleague Sick Shift Cover Shift. (10) 2025 Punjab Neighbour Widow Meal Offer. (11) 2026 Sydney Parent Barista Coffee Comp. (12) Your own small act today, waiting to unfold. Give kindness a try, and more happiness and joy will embrace you.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the science behind kindness boosting happiness?
Kind acts lower stress and elevate mood because of the dopamine and oxytocin release. (Research at UC Berkeley)
Q2: Can mercy really change lives?
Forgiveness and mercy really lower the chance of getting sick and increase resilience. (Longitudinal study at Harvard)
Q3: How do I start practicing kindness daily?
To start practicing kindness daily, smile at people, offer help to people and forgive people. This will increase kindness and joy in the world.
