A huge factor that shapes our thoughts and mental health is the virtual media. Sources like social media, news reports, and the radio are all so integrated into our regular lives that we don’t seem to realize when we are getting a positive or negative input from them.

Being reflective and self-aware helps battle this. Part of it is not only focusing on our inner thoughts, but how our minds interact with external forces. Basically, we come more aware of what is going in and what we are putting out into the world.

I wanted to share a positive twist of our virtually integrated news today; something that reminds us that we are all, in fact, still capable of being humane, kind, and loving.

Doing something nice for a stranger, I’ve realized, is a prime example of humanity. Altruism has the influence of a positive cascade around us. This holds a ton of power.

However, there’s little to no gain in altruism; it’s not like we’ll ever see that random stranger again either. So why should we ever be selfless?

I questioned this a lot this entire past month I’ve been in Boston. Honestly, I’ve found that Boston is one of those cities that has a really bad reputation with little truth. The people I’ve met in Boston so far are so nice. 

Every time I’ve approached someone for help on how to navigate (bus, train, etc), they’ve all always gone out of their way to make sure I understand where and when and how to travel safely. I’ve even gotten so much advice for many topics from many strangers. 

This example is nothing big, but I felt very appreciative. Later, I always felt like spreading that kindness to others too. I went on to help strangers with their hair before an interview, my friends with cooking a meal, my coworkers by grabbing extra food, and more. This kind of positivity has made me a really open and trusting person, honestly. It’s also made me stronger because I’ve been able to block out or process negativity in a healthier way.

In other words, altruism allows us to look past all of the negative input and focus on more positive events around us.

We as humans are biologically programmed to be more attentive to negative current events because it helps us determine if there are any upcoming threats. This attention gives more views to the negative headlines. We may feel sour and hopeless, but we continue to receive negative headlines.

However, have you noticed how a positive headline makes you feel? Maybe hopeful? Warm and fuzzy? Proud? It makes me understand that we, as humans, have evolved to focus on negative things for survival, but we are meant to be more positive and open to selflessness in order to thrive.

When’s the last time a stranger did something nice for you? How did you feel? Would you be able to do that same act of kindness for someone else?

Till next time,

Moesha.