I was called for jury duty on November 6th, the day after the US election. As I joined the line of one hundred and fifty prospective jurors shuffling into the courthouse, I was immediately struck by the collective atmosphere. There was a palpable weariness, understandable as many stayed up late for the results, but something else was happening.

People went out of their way to be friendly, kind, and considerate, graciously offering their seats for others and chatting with strangers. Out of necessity, a few young mothers brought their babies and toddlers with them. The courthouse officials immediately offered help caring for the children, as did many others.

Later that day, I observed the same thing in the market—spontaneous acts of kindness springing up everywhere, with people smiling, greeting one another, and offering a helping hand. I have been observing this phenomenon ever since. After wading through months of divisive headlines, something quite different now appears to be happening at street level.

Even before the pandemic, we were experiencing the pain of the loneliness epidemic. As I explored in a previous article, "Feeling Lonely?", the implications are significant enough for the Surgeon General to release an advisory addressing this "epidemic of loneliness and isolation." What could account for this unexpected collective shift in attitude during a communication crisis made worse by months of increasing polarization?

Human history has been an ongoing power struggle, creating an ever-changing landscape as opposing forces rise and fall. The rise of one thing automatically creates resistance that sets up an opposing force. Today, the speed of change is so rapid that rather than taking centuries or decades, change can be measured in weeks, days, hours, and even seconds.

Most of us would opt for a peaceful life if given the chance. *Scientific studies show that connection and community are essential for our well-being, and kindness has many positive effects. Kindness is contagious, and one seemingly simple act of kindness has the following extraordinary payoff: It increases the 'love hormone' oxytocin, a powerful neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of love, trust, and connection, and the 'feel-good neurotransmitters' serotonin and dopamine, improving mood and well-being. Kindness also decreases stress, anxiety, and pain while lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels. Acute care wards in hospitals even designate a nurse to sit and hold a patient's hand to help manage blood pressure, stress levels, and medication.

It's fascinating that we are hard-wired this way, but it's no surprise because humans wouldn't have survived for long if this hadn't been the case. The eminent psychologist Carl Jung was the first to coin the expression 'the collective unconscious.' He referred to the unconscious mind and the mental concepts we share with others. According to Jung, the collective unconscious is partly driven by instinct, that inherent feeling or knowledge that tells us what to do without thinking about it. This natural, automatic behavior helps us survive and shapes our collective behavior.

I believe what we are witnessing today is a spontaneous collective antidote to the current times. We often value most what we are in danger of losing. With 2025 on the horizon, witnessing this shift is fascinating, uplifting, and inspiring, giving me faith in the future.

As free-willed beings, we are blessed with the choice to connect and be kind. Let's remember that what we focus on grows. Kindness is the greatest gift we can bestow on our world and one another this holiday season and the perfect way to embrace the year to come.

Footnote:
*Kindness as a Stress Reduction–Health Promotion Intervention: A Review of the Psychobiology of Caring: Dr. David Fryburg: 2021.