It isn’t unusual to feel sad in the winter months, especially when that winter is snowless (for some) and too snowy (for others). As we get ready to bid farewell to February, keep in mind that kindness can reduce symptoms of depression, decrease anxious thoughts, and strengthen connections. A recent study in the The Journal of Positive Psychology found that performing random acts of kindness decreased feelings of isolation. Being kind positively impacts the emotions of both the recipient and the provider of the kindness. You can read more about the study here. 
A Dose of Good News
Thanks to Reverend Dominic of the First Congregational Church in Melrose for this short list of reasons to believe there is more light than darkness in our world:
- The recent Super Bowl 58 made history by being the first Super Bowl to be 100% solar-powered.
- In a recent survey, 82% of U.S. adults are hopeful about their own future and their community’s future.
- A New prosthetic hand allows a man to sense temperature: “I could feel the warmth of another person.”
- Singing or playing music throughout life is linked with better brain health while you age.
- The Largest US solar storage project has gone online in California – enough for a quarter million homes–offering 875 megawatt-hours of solar capacity, and 3 gigawatt-hours of storage.
- 353,000 U.S. jobs were added in January; the monthly report smashes expectations.
- The rate of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest halved in 2023.
Read more good news here.
Keep the Peanut Butter Coming
Last week, Elaine Foley, one of our team of Kindness Warriors, collected over 100 jars of peanut butter from our Kindness Porches for delivery to A Servant’s Heart and Pantry of Hope. We’d love to smash our record of 300 jars delivered last year, so please continue to donate.
Our Kindness Porches (and our WishList) are open for business:
- 89 Walton Park
- 160 West Wyoming
- 647 Main St (Follow Your Art)
- 249 Grove Street
Keep seeing the good xoxoxo
