By Lisa Parent

NEW

Medicine Hat initiative seeks to spread kindness one small deed at a time

Feb 15, 2024 | 8:39 AM

Sometimes, all it takes is a smile to brighten someone’s day.

This week, the What Matters to Hatters Coalition is encouraging residents to do just that with its random acts of kindness initiative.

Michelle Suave, a member of What Matters to Hatter, says the campaign is all about decreasing loneliness and social isolation in the community.

Suave emphasized that random acts of kindness should be low cost, or no cost.

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“I think it’s important that we have this pay it forward experience, so people who were just witnessing, feel compelled to also then go on and be kind,” Suave said.

Hatters shared with CHAT News the small acts of kindness they engage in within the community, as well as those unexpectedly performed by strangers.

“Just things like opening doors and just smiling. A smile goes a long way for a lot of people, especially this time of year,” said one Medicine Hat resident.

Another said: “When you’re driving, maybe letting somebody in front of you, or you go through Tim Hortons and possibly buying a drink for the person behind you, it’s things that put a smile on people’s faces.”

“The other day, a nice person, bought me a coffee at Timmy’s drive thru,” another Hatter mentioned.

Another said: “The only thing I like to see is people opening doors for people. Just showing a bit of kindness, that’s all I expect.”

Kyla Hooper, a psychotherapist with Clear Minds Counseling, strongly believes in the movement.

She describes random acts of kindness like a miracle drug, that costs zero dollars and has no negative side effects.

“It increases our mood, our self esteem, our productivity, our motivation,” Hooper said.

“When you’re kind, you release dopamine and serotonin and oxytocin.”

She said even a small act, like smiling at someone on the street, can change the entire trajectory of their day.

“You never know what somebody is going through and that small bit of kindness, that could be the difference between them pulling them out of the hole and not,” Hooper said.

“Those little acts of kindness, it creates acceptance and belonging and those are fundamental human needs.”

In a world full of negativity, Hooper believes that spreading kindness can turn it all around, starting with small acts right here in Medicine Hat.