Great way to protect kids: teach them the joys of helping & giving

Plus: 5 Health Benefits of Kindness

Occupy Wall Street: Oct. 2, 2011

“Let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do…” (Matthew 5:16)

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As most of the regulars here know, there are so many more threats to children and teens these days. I mean, most of the old risks and fears remain. But now there’s wokeness, transhumanism, easily accessible porn, phone/device addiction, fake food, AI medical diagnoses, normalized pedophilia, grooming, trans mutilation, and so much more.

Here’s a very recent post of mine to drive home the point:

So… now what?

Suggestion: Make it your calling to involve your kids (and all kids) in helping every single day. When we perform acts of kindness, it does something to us that defies the diabolical powers of digital distractions and false conflicts. 

Inspiring and encouraging a young person to become a giver is a giant step toward a more sane and compassionate society. 

SPOILER ALERT: This effort requires you to lead by example.

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“Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” (Philippians 2:4)

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Generosity is addictive in a way that benefits everyone. Kids raised to be unselfish will seek out that “high” and are less susceptible to pornified temptations.

They learn respect for others and they value the feeling of being healthy. After all, when we help others, we also help ourselves. 

Here’s something I wrote last year on this general topic: 

But let’s go deeper with some information designed to really kick things into high gear:

5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF KINDNESS

1. The “Helper’s High”

I’m sure you’ve noticed that when you do something kind, you just feel better about yourself. That is what’s known as the helper’s high. It has a lot to do with the release of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. This chemical affects you much in the way exercise does when it sparks the release of feel-good endorphins. Brain studies have found that when you do something nice — with no expectation of anything in return — your system is rewarded with a flood of happy chemicals. Can you say win-win?

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2. Antidote to Anxiety

Anxiety is the number one mental health disorder in the world. In the past three years or so, it’s become even more prevalent. Kindness offers you a powerful counterbalance to all this stress. A recent study on happiness found that participants who engaged in kind acts experienced a measurable increase in what’s called a “positive effect.” This relates to an individual’s mood and overall well-being. Simply put, making a habit of kindness keeps you more resilient against anxiety and stress. 

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3. Release the Love Hormone!

Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone.” When present, it increases feelings of trust, empathy, relaxation, positive communication, and emotional stability. Not surprisingly, kindness triggers the release of oxytocin into your body. Not only does this mean that you turn into a cuddle bug, but oxytocin reduces inflammation in the body. Volunteering is directly associated with lower levels of inflammation. This can translate into lower incidences of conditions like:

•   Migraines

•   Obesity

•   Chronic pain

•   Diabetes

•   Cancer 

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4. No Pain, Everyone’s Gain

There is a direct cause and effect between giving to others and experiencing less pain. A fascinating study tested people’s reactions to a mild electric shock. Those who spoke of donating, giving, and volunteering were less sensitive to the shock. Researchers believe this is because the brain shuts off the regions that react to pain during the commission of a kind act. Living with less pain increases the quality of your mental health, too.

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5. Heart to Heart 

There’s a reason why we invented a term like “heart-warming.” And we can thank our friend Oxytocin for this one, too. As mentioned in Benefit #3, the love hormone turns you into a happy camper. It also triggers the release of nitric oxide into your blood vessels. This chemical expands those vessels thereby lowering blood pressure and protecting the heart. In medical terms, oxytocin is called “cardioprotective.” Perhaps this is why we say that the givers of the world have big hearts.

Occupy Wall Street: Oct. 7, 2011

Let’s recap: The world is brimming with uncertainty and division — and children are the most at risk. When you commit acts of service, you help counter these dangerous trends and lead by example. 

In addition, you reap powerful and sustainable health benefits for your mind and body. No prescriptions or side effects. The bigger the dose, the better.

As I wrote recently, compassion is contagious in the best possible way:

If we collectively pass this down to ensuing generations, I’m convinced that we’ll witness the profound and sustainable change that has eluded us for too long.

AGAIN: Such an effort requires you to lead by example.

Why not make this our daily mission while we continue searching for more and more effective ways to combat evil?

We have nothing to lose and literally everything to gain.