random acts of kindness experience essay

Can Random Acts of Kindness Increase Wellbeing? (+ 22 Ideas)

When you consider the times when you’ve practice random acts of kindness, what past practices come to mind?

I found myself thinking of this question as I wrote this blog because it’s a good question to ask, “ When did I give of myself without expecting anything in return? ”.

This piece has some really great resources and explanations of RAK’s and how to live it throughout your days.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains

What is a random act of kindness, a look at the psychology and science of kindness, can kindness impact our wellbeing, positive psychology and kindness, how unexpected acts of kindness can make a difference, the random acts of kindness foundation, putting theory into practice, lesson plans for teachers, 9 apps to help practice kindness, 4 books on the topic, 7 recommended youtube videos, a take-home message.

A Random Act of Kindness is giving your best self to others without requests or promise of return on investment. It’s simply doing something nice for someone else, without them asking and without you doing it for anything in return.

Kindness is interesting, in that unlike an emotion such as happiness , or a feeling and action like gratitude, kindness is mostly a behavior or action.

Through years of experience, we each have been trained in our thoughts and perspectives of what kindness is, what it means, what the intention behind someone’s kindness is, so that it is often lost what the kind act is.

People are more likely (and it may be something in our genetic code that we’ve learned over the years) to give more to those with whom they have a closer relationship with than those that are of an acquaintance level (Burnstein, Crandall, & Kitayama, 1994; Cialdini, Brown, Lewis, Luce, & Neuberg, 1997).

People with certain job titles and duties or even roles in their social environment at home like helping professionals or parents may be expected to offer acts of kindness (Bryan, 2009; Davey & Eggebeen, 1998).

Gift-giving seems to induce expectation of reciprocity, or in other words, a social exchange and equity in a relationship are valued with gifts (Gouldner, 1960; Uehara, 1995; Clark & Mills, 1979; Thibaut & Kely, 1959; Walster, Berscheid, & Walster, 1973).

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First, let’s define each of these terms. Kindness means being nice or offering the best of yourself to someone whether it be a minute, second, or longer.

Wellbeing is a bit trickier to define but in the simplest terms, it means “ the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy ” (Google Dictionary). If we look at the research side of things, the CDC has a definition of wellbeing that is all-inclusive (CDC, n.d.).

In the most general sense, wellbeing is a positive outcome that is a determinant for people throughout all societies of how their lives are going (Frey & Stutzer, 2002; Andrews & Withey, 1976; Diener, 2000; Ryff & Keyes, 1995; Diener, Suh & Oishi, 1997; Veenhoven, 2008).

At a minimum, the fundamentals for wellbeing are adequate living conditions (e.g., housing, employment) (Frey & Stutzer, 2002; Andrews & Withey, 1976; Diener, 2000; Ryff & Keyes, 1995; Diener, Suh & Oishi, 1997; Veenhoven, 2008).

As the term “wellbeing” is used across disciplines, there is no consensus on the definition of wellbeing. At a minimum, there is an agreement across disciplines that wellbeing includes

• the presence of positive emotions and moods (e.g., contentment, happiness);
• the absence of negative emotions (e.g., depression, anxiety);
• satisfaction with life;
• fulfillment and,
• positive functioning.

(Frey & Stutzer, 2002; Andrews & Withey, 1976; Diener, 2000; Ryff & Keyes, 1995; Diener, Suh, Oishi, 1997; Veenhoven, 2008)

14 Proven Benefits

The wonderful part of random acts of kindness is that there are not only benefits to the receiver but also to the giver. When we break down the benefits, we need to first look at the emotions that are associated with random acts of kindness. An important note is that emotional responses are based on whether they are normative or non-normative distinction (Exline, Lisan, & Lisan, 2012).

• Recipients of kindness can feel loved.
• Recipients and givers of kindness can experience a sense of awe when they think about profound acts of love or virtue.
• Whether you are recipient or giver or merely just a witness you can feel the benefits of an increase in oxytocin. Oxytocin is commonly called the “love hormone” and this helps to lower blood pressure, improve overall heart health, increase self-esteem and optimism.
• Kindness can increase the feeling of strength and energy due to helping others.
• Kindness can also make one feel calmer.
• Less depressed.
• Increased feelings of self-worth.
• For those that volunteer their time or money for charitable causes, they often have fewer aches and pains.
• Kindness is most similar to a medical anti-depressant. Kindness pushes your body to produce serotonin, which is commonly known as the “feel-good” chemical that provides healing and calming feelings.
• Kindness decreases pain, by generating endorphins (the brain’s natural painkiller).
• Stress, it has been shown that people that are more kind have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population.
• Anxiety, the University of British Columbia did a study on a group of highly anxious individuals in which they performed at least 6 acts of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant increase in positive moods, relationship satisfaction and a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals.
• Depression is reduced, mortality is delayed, and wellbeing and good fortune are improved when we give of ourselves.
• Lowering blood pressure from giving acts of kindness, creates emotional warmth, which releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure, and therefore, oxytocin is known as a “cardioprotective” hormone. It protects the heart by lowering blood pressure.

Sources: Cassidy & Shaver, 2008; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007; Keltner & Haidt, 2003; The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, n.d; Stephen Post, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Research and Studies

Research is just at the precipice of trying to understand the positive effects that random acts of kindness can give.

I have highlighted two studies I have found while researching this topic. Hopefully, this will give you more insight into the current understanding of kindness as an intervention and the multiple modalities it can be used in.

Reflecting on acts of kindness toward the self: Emotions, generosity, and the role of social norms (Exline, Lisan, & Lisan, 2012)

Researchers, Exline, Morck Lisan, and Lisan, looked at how reflecting on acts of kindness toward the self could affect emotions, generosity, and the role of social norms. For example, they asked, “ How do people respond, in terms of emotion and behavior, when prompted to recall an act of kindness from another person? ”

By carrying out two studies, these researchers were able to gather responses based on whether kindness was seen as normative – meaning based on past experience, and what behavior does that act of kindness fall in line. Their results showed that normative kindnesses were linked with more positiv e emotion and less negati ve emotion than non-normative kindnesses.

On the whole, these findings suggest that recalling normative kindnesses will increase mood or generosity.

Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: Potential for psychological interventions (Hofmann, Grossman & Hinton, 2011)

Contemporary psychology is researching more and more on the impact that mindful ness meditation can have on a person. In this study, Hoffman, Grossman, and Hinton look at loving-kindness and compassion meditations to see how impactful they would be as an intervention.

There is evidence to show that using LKM and CM have an associated effect of an increase in positive affect and a decrease in negative affect.

In neuroendocrine studies, preliminary results are showing that CM may decrease stress-induced subjective suffering and immune response. “Neuroimaging studies insinuate that LKM and CM may improve activation of brain areas that are involved in emotional processing and empathy” (Hofmann et al. 2011).

Interesting Statistics

The research and science on common outcomes, behaviors, emotions in positive psychology are increasing by the year. In 2010, the Harvard Business School conducted a survey on happiness in 136 countries. Through this study , they found evidence that people who were generous financially, like with charitable donations, were the happiest overall.

Christine Carter’s “ Raising Happiness: In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents ,” has found that giving of yourself to others can help protect your heart, literally. Giving can decrease your risk of heart disease.

In addition, it has been found that for people who are 55 years or older and volunteer, have their risk for dying early cut in half.

So, they have a “ 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status, and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church ” (Carter, 2011).

An example of how, just by thinking, our body will react physically to these impulses is by the idea of moving our right arm. When you physically do so, new connections are created in a part of the brain called the motor cortex. Now, just thinking about moving your right arm, and imagining moving it over and over again can actually make the muscles in this same arm stronger.

Because of thoughts about the arm, cellular changes can happen. This reinforces the belief that no matter what one is thinking about, chemical reactions occur in the brain and can, therefore, lead to structural changes. We can create millions of new connections in our brains just by thinking compassionate thoughts.

The structure of our brains can be formed by our emotions. All your inspirations, motivations, loves, fears, hopes and dreams, and even your typical body language are wired into your brain in the form of connections between cells. These connections become so extensive over time that they even wire into 3-D networks, or circuits, as they are often called.

Acts of kindness, then, find their way into the chemistry and structure of our brain. If kindness becomes a habit, we can significantly alter the wiring of our brain. In fact, as we will examine later the brain is already wired for kindness. But we are always adding to and changing that wiring.

Throughout life, as we learn new things, grow, change our minds and even change our habits, new networks of new brain connections are laid down and old networks unravel.

This neuroplasticity occurs right up until the very last seconds of our lives. One of the benefits of it is that it actually allows the brain to get over injury and disease, as healthy brain cells compensate for damaged ones by sprouting new connections to take over some of their communications or pass the information through the brain by a slightly different route. (Hamilton, 2010).

Your brain is wired in the form of connections between cells where over time all of your feelings, emotions, and body language is wired extensively into these circuits. Therefore we can change the wiring of our brain through simple acts of kindness becoming a habit in our everyday lives.

Our brains seem to be initially set up for kindness, but we alter and change that wiring by learning, growing, and modifying our minds and habits over time. As this happens, new connections are made and the ones that were already there can be reformed. This actually allows for healthy brain cells to overcome the damaged ones by passing information throughout the brain in different ways when we are injured or fallen ill.

Numerous studies have indicated that people tend to be kinder and more compassionate toward others than themselves.

Yet random acts of kindness should also include being kind and compassionate toward yourself.

Practicing warmth and understanding toward ourselves, rather than self-criticism, can significantly enhance our resilience and overall wellbeing (Neff & McGehee, 2010). 

If you are motivated to develop self-compassion, follow these four steps. During this exercise, imagine a hypothetical scenario or reflect on a  situation from your life. Pay close attention to the tone of your inner voice in each scenario, and write down your responses to these self-reflection questions.

With continued practice in showing compassion to yourself, it will gradually become more natural and ingrained in your behavior. So, the next time things don’t go as planned in your life, try treating yourself as you would treat a good friend and observe the positive outcomes that may arise.

Unexpected Acts of Kindness can make ALL of the difference to everyone around. Included in kindness is not only compassion but acknowledgment.

At the root of every issue and every emotion is the need for acknowledgment, and it is what makes being human and living so beautiful.

We each are able to acknowledge one another in the simplest of ways that we are human, we are in need, and we are in awe of all that there is to appreciate amongst us.

The Random Acts of Kindness foundation offers ideas, inspiration, posters, videos, quotes, calendars, printables all centered on random acts of kindness. It is headed by its president, Gary Dixon; Vice President – Brooke Jones; Rachel Stubby is the Director of Digital Strategy; and Karina Delaney is the Director of Strategic Partnerships.

RAK foundation’s goal is to make kindness a standard in all aspects of life.

When is Random Acts of Kindness Day?

Random Acts of Kindness day is February 17.

Do 20 Random Acts of Kindness to celebrate.

Check out our lists below for inspiration.

As you’re reading the science behind kindness and living a positive life, make sure to think of your own daily routine. In your day to day, whom do you see or interact with? Spouse? Family? Friends? Co-workers? Or fellow bus or train riders?

Make the effort to reach out and show kindness to them as you have read throughout the article and/or will finish reading you can see there are emotional, physical and neurological benefits to kindness for anyone who puts this into practice.

5 Examples of Random Acts of Kindness

Here are six great examples of Random Acts of Kindness. It’s so interesting to see how each of them are so different.

• Ikea in Catania, Italy is letting stray dogs sleep on its rugs this winter.
• 250 people form a human chain to help their local bookshop, October Books in Southampton, move its stock 150 meters to the new shop.
• Eli Goldstone, took to Twitter after seeing a book that greatly appealed to her. She asked her followers sincerely but not seriously if they could help track the book for her. A fellow Twitter user saw her post and offered to send the book to her.
• A group of girls was taking classic bathroom “selfies” on their night out at a casino in Canada when a woman noticed and offered to take their pictures for them. The lady said that she remembered when she and her friends used to go out, and how much fun it was. The girls offered for her to come with them .
• A woman and her family were dining out at a Chinese restaurant in late 2016. The woman had recently lost her hair due to chemotherapy treatment. A fellow diner paid for her and her family’s dinner and wrote a note to explain: The note says, “I lost my wife to cancer 5 years ago. I know how tough it can be going through this. Your meal is on me. Merry Christmas .”

6 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas

Check out this quick list of 6 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas I pulled together after searching the Internet for some of the most meaningful ones that you can do easily throughout your week.

• When in line to get your morning coffee, pay for the person behind you.
• Whoever you interact with today, if it’s 3-50, compliment the first two people.
• Pick up your phone and open your text-messaging app – send a positive text to 4 people.
• Donate items in your home that you haven’t used in the past year.
• Leave some spare quarters at the laundromat for someone to find.
• When at the store, leave any extra not-used coupons next to the products for someone to find that could really use them.

6 Ideas Specifically for Strangers

Check out this list of 5 ideas for random acts of kindness

• When parking your car, take out a piece of paper and pen. Leave a note to a fellow car (driver ☺) to let them know that they did an amazing job at parking.
• Smile genuinely at 5 strangers throughout your day.
• Take some flowers or sweet treats to a nurse’s station at a nearby hospital.
• Give up your seat so someone else can sit on the train or bus.
• Hold the door open for someone.
• Make a goodie bag of treats, canned food, and warm gloves, socks or a hat and give it to a homeless person.

RAK at Work: 5 Ideas for Employees and Co-Workers

• Send an out-of-the-blue gratitude email to a co-worker and let them know how grateful you are for them.
• When on a team call, do a heartfelt shout-out to one of your co-workers that did an awesome job on a project
• Get your workplace in on the action, and organize a fundraiser or charity drive.
• Help others connect by using your personal network and share with a co-worker.
• Let your boss know that you appreciate them and the way they _______ (you fill in the blank).

Random Acts of Kindness to Practice with Kids

There are many ways to teach kids how to be kind and how to do it randomly. A great way of learning about kindness and the benefits for both the recipient and the giver is to practice it.

Here are ten ways that kids can practice random acts of kindness as stated from “100 Acts of Kindness for Kids” from the Cups and Crayons website.

• Leave change in the vending machine, for someone to use when they are hungry.
• Sit with a new kid at school.
• Introduce the new kid at school to your friends.
• At the end of the school day, tell your teacher thank you for a great day of learning.
• When you get home from school, tell your parents or guardian how much you missed them.

6 Ideas for High School Students to ‘Pay it Forward’

• Write a thank-you note to the cafeteria staff.
• Sit with a classmate that is not sitting with anyone at lunchtime.
• Offer to tutor a fellow classmate on a subject that you excel at.
• Tell a teacher how much you appreciate them and their style of teaching.
• Tell your parents thank you.
• Genuinely compliment 1 person every day.

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Check out these awesome lesson plans for teachers. Included are great ways to integrate random acts of kindness into their student’s learning.

First, check out the Random Acts of Kindness official website to see all the great lesson plans they have for kindergarten to 8th grade. Each of the lessons teaches kids Social Emotional (SEL) skills.

Next check out Edutopia’s website , by Rebecca Alber. This is a great place to find classroom activities and resources for developing a vital character trait.

To get you started, scroll down a little bit to see the Kick-Start Kindness Activities. It provides students with prompts to share kindness to friends and family, and writing prompts, as well as how to do shout-outs, appreciation boxes, temperature checks, the buddy-system, and community circle.

RAK Activities and Worksheets

I’ve collated some RAK activities and worksheets that you can share with your children or students.

This Worksheet Place has some fun Acts of Kindness worksheets , ideally used for First to Third Graders. There’s even a fun worksheet where the student can create a Kindness Poem.

Teachers Pay Teachers is a really fun site to find resources made by fellow teachers for other teachers. There is an option to digitally download free content. You can download worksheets, games, RAK calendars, and RAK challenges.

Other Resources and Printables (PDF)

Here are some other resources to have fun with while learning and being kind:

The Doing Good Together site has some awesome resources . Some of the resources are Feelings flashcards and games, ways to include kindness into your family routine, and how to advocate for animals.

The Random Acts of Kindness website has some cool posters for your classroom, calendars, coloring pages, bookmarks, and even an award certificate for the student that shows kindness.

Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar

So many children have fun with this Kindness Advent Calendar , print it out and use when it’s Advent.

Check out these 12 apps recommended helping you practice kindness (Theifels, 2016; Goodnet.org, 2014).

1. Toca Pet Doctor

Students take care of pets that are ailing from different diagnoses. They could be suffering from physical or emotional pain, and each needs help with tasks. Some of the tasks include feeding, or overcoming sadness. Ages 2-6.

You can get the app here .

2. The Great Kindness Challenge: School Edition

Provides the kids with ideas for random acts of kindness like smile at 25 people, or pick up 10 pieces of trash. The students can do them together or individually, and set goals as they go. Ages 4-18.

Available at iTunes .

3. Avokiddo Emotions

This app has a variety of animals with a wide range of personalities. Kids can play dress up, feed the animals and share toys. The animals “react appropriately” to the choices that the child makes in the game, teaching kids how to recognize facial expressions. Ages 5 and under.

4. Four Little Corners

Four Little Corners is an interactive storybook app that teaches lessons on tolerance, equality, and compassion by integrating geometry. Ages 5 and under.

5. Peek-a-Zoo

Peek-a-Zoo is a multilingual app that is based on the peek-a-boo game. It teaches the child about faces and facial expressions. Ages 5 and under.

6. Wee You-Things

Wee You-Things shares interesting stories on diversity, empathy, and confidence. It shows how it’s great to be unique, and “you”. Ages 5 and under.

Available here at iTunes .

7. DPS from the Social Express

DPS from the Social Express is for elementary-aged kids and helps kids identify and label emotions. DPS stands for My Digital Problem Solver. Ages 6+.

8. Middle School Confidential 1 and 2

This app teaches healthy ways to handle issues unique to middle school. As you open the app you can see that 6 characters are with you to navigate throughout different social situations. There are quizzes, resources, and tips from other kids. Ages 8-14.

Apps for Adults

1. pay it forward.

Is from the official app of the Global Pay it Forward movement that was designed to make the world a better place to live (5 Apps that will increase our kindness quotient).

1. The Little Book of Kindness: Everyday actions to change your life and the world around you – Bernadette Russell

Prompted by the seeming hopelessness of the world around her, Bernadette Russell undertook a pledge to be kind to a stranger every day for a year. The experience left her wanting to inspire others.

The Little Book of Kindness is packed with fun ideas, practical tips and interactive exercises that encourage you to ‘be kind’ in every area of life – online, to strangers, to the environment, in your community, to yourself – and change the world, one act of kindness at a time.

Available from Amazon .

2. The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity – Sally Kohn

Her viral TED Talk on the need to practice emotional—rather than political—correctness sparked a new way of considering how often we amplify our differences and diminish our connections.

Available from  Amazon .

3. Each Kindness (Jane Addams Award Book (Awards)) – Jacqueline Woodson

Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually, Maya stops coming to school.

When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya.

4. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness: 101 Stories of Compassion and Paying it Forward – Amy Newark

From random acts of kindness to doing what’s right, this book shows how positive attitudes and good deeds can change the world.

This book shines a bright light on the widespread goodwill in our world as everyday heroes demonstrate acts of kindness, compassion, and commitment to others.

The stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness will uplift you, inspire you, and brighten your day.

When one person sets in motion an act of kindness that is passed along to others.

Orly Wahba takes us through a personal journey of changing the world through the power of kindness.

Acts of Kindness that have made the world a better place.

A guided relaxation meditation using loving-kindness.

How you treat others is ultimately who you are. Motivation for being kind.

The scientifically-proven benefits of being kind to others.

Mark Kelly encourages us to complete one act of kindness each day to change lives.

No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.

Amelia Earhart

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

Audrey Hepburn

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.

Dennis Prager

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.

John Ruskin

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

William Arthur Ward

A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

Saint Basil

Here are the values that I stand for: honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values.

Ellen DeGeneres

My religion is simple. My religion is kindness.

Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

Scott Adams

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

Samuel Johnson

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Whether one believes in religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion.

In Asian languages, the word for ‘mind’ and the word for ‘heart’ are same. So, if you’re not hearing mindfulness in some deep way as heartfulness, you’re not really understanding it. Compassion and kindness towards oneself are intrinsically woven into it. You could think of mindfulness as wise and affectionate attention.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

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I hope that you got some great ideas and actionable items that you can integrate into your life. This article was a true refresher in what it means to be human sharing our lives with one another – even if we don’t know each other.

If you are a teacher, I hope you were able to capture all the wonderful resources we provided to show your students.

If you are just a searcher for ways to be inspired, there are some incredibly helpful tips, resources (apps, books) that can further you on your journey of being kind.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

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This article helped me a lot! It changed my mind about a few people!

I love this, its sweet, and more people should be this kind because a lot of people are very bad and rude, we need to be more kind to others

Guys just less your depression. its simple <3

This is great

Dear friends, Thanks a lot to make me reading this article in full. 1. What’s the based of kindness ? 2. What’s the power to take action of kindness? Thanks.

Hi Suryadarma,

Thank you for your questions. I’m not sure I understand your second question — could you please phrase this differently? But regarding the first, which I assume is about drivers of kindness 🙂 there are a few theories about why we are motivated to be kind. The Wikipedia page on ‘Helping Behaviors’ actually offers a pretty good summary of these. Among the theories there are perspectives based in evolutionary perspectives, boosting our own egos, and social exchange. It’s an interesting read!

– Nicole | Community Manager

It is a great article for studying.

Hello, I finally had a chance to read this article in full, and especially liked the the suggested acts of kindness for your readers. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I became part of a team that realised that kindness was going to be part of the recovery process and decided to build a web application. We are building Seekindness.org as a social engagement to encourage and recognise random acts of kindness on regular (daily) basis. Not being medical people, we don’t understand the “stages of kindness” that an individual goes through to regularly recognise kindness. My thoughts that some RAK’s are very small, and yet provide the same benefits as larger, more publically recognisable ones. If you have the inclination, I would appreciate your views on that question. Thanks.

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The Unexpected Power of Random Acts of Kindness

New research shows small gestures matter even more than we may think.

Credit... Shuhua Xiong

Supported by

By Catherine Pearson

• Sept. 2, 2022

In late August, Erin Alexander, 57, sat in the parking lot of a Target store in Fairfield, Calif., and wept. Her sister-in-law had recently died, and Ms. Alexander was having a hard day.

A barista working at the Starbucks inside the Target was too. The espresso machine had broken down and she was clearly stressed. Ms. Alexander — who’d stopped crying and gone inside for some caffeine — smiled, ordered an iced green tea, and told her to hang in there. After picking up her order, she noticed a message on the cup: “Erin,” the barista had scrawled next to a heart, “your soul is golden.”

“I’m not sure I even necessarily know what ‘your soul is golden’ means,” said Ms. Alexander, who laughed and cried while recalling the incident.

But the warmth of that small and unexpected gesture, from a stranger who had no inkling of what she was going through, moved her deeply.

“Of course, I was still really sad,” Ms. Alexander said. “But that little thing made the rest of my day.”

New findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology in August, corroborate just how powerful experiences like Ms. Alexander’s can be. Researchers found that people who perform a random act of kindness tend to underestimate how much the recipient will appreciate it. And they believe that miscalculation could hold many of us back from doing nice things for others more often.

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Stories of Random Acts of Kindness Foundation Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
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My Prosocial Day: Implementation of Kindness

Prosocial behavior.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation allows people to share their good stories and motivate people to do them. The main goal of the movement is to make good and friendly relationships the norm in places like work, home or school (About us, n.d.). Representatives of the website claim that their content is aimed at making people understand how important it is to take care of others (About us, n.d.). It brings a lot of happiness fore society and themselves. Stories are free to access and anyone can share their experiences to teach community how to be socially emotional.

The story that has influenced me the most is called True friends, which is told by a man named Lincoln. The author talks about how, as a child, it was difficult for them to make friends and how lonely it felt (True friends, n.d.). However, later Lincoln made friends with whom they are still friends and occasionally play basketball (True friends, n.d.). The author talks about how friends care about them and always ask if everything is fine when Lincoln looks sad (True friends, n.d.). Thus, this story had a strong impact on me, because the modern world is full of cruelty and falsehood. Finding real friends who will always help is a great happiness and luck. Moreover, many children do not make friends with others for various reasons. As a result, many suffer and it is always nice to see when someone finds support in their friends.

My day of kindness and compassion was spent in stores where I bought everything I needed to please animals in shelters a little. My basic opinion has always been that man should be responsible for domesticated animals. If someone alone could not do this, then together society is capable of much. There are many shelters in the area and often they need a lot of things, food and toys to keep the animals normal. I made a shopping list and after completing it, I went to one of the shelters to hand over the purchases to its representatives.

I found out about what I need to buy on the website of the shelter, which indicates what is currently lacking for dogs. Moreover, I bought food for volunteers at the shelter, as they work hard and get tired. I helped the shelter, because it seems to me that people and the state allocate insufficient funds and attention to these organizations. Animals cannot take care of themselves and are doomed to a starving life on the street. In addition, they often find themselves in such a position because of the cruelty of people. All these thoughts led me to want to dedicate my day to helping animals. Moreover, I bought food for volunteers at the shelter, as they work hard and get tired.

Many people think that some people do good deeds out of vanity and a desire to appear better than they are. I don’t agree with this and helped the animal shelter not out of a search for fame, but compassion. Cages and volunteers will never replace a home with a loving family for animals. The realization of this made me sad and sorry, but when I realized that I could make their life even a little better, I was delighted.

The strongest feelings were pride in myself when I realized how simple and important it is to help those who are weaker. In a moment, I felt absolute happiness and joy that I could make the world a little better. Thanks to this reaction, when others are happy and oneself is happy from this, the desire to help others has become stronger. In addition, it is important to understand that the reaction of others is important and has a strong influence.

The whole family supported the decision to purchase needs for animals and was delighted with my mood and idea. For me, this was vital, because I wanted to share my slavery with my loved ones, and their attitude gave me strength. In addition, I was extremely pleased with the reaction of employees and volunteers when I arrived with purchases. They thanked me for a long time and showed me how they do their job.

As part of prosocial behavior, people care about the feelings, issues, rights, and well-being of others. My family has always told me to take care of those who are unable to take care of themselves. When I was little, we volunteered with animals and poor people. Thus, from this exercise, I realized that the motivation of people to do good deeds directly depends on what their parents invested in them in childhood.

However, the desire to help others can be cultivated in adulthood. At the shelter, I met enough older people who started volunteering in middle age or after retirement. This is an amazing experience that shows that the desire to do good comes from the depths of the soul. Perhaps it fades into the background with time and people do not have enough strength for something other than themselves or family, but as my experience has shown, people will return to this one day. I do not always have the opportunity to set aside a whole day to help others, but if I succeed, then I feel good and strong, despite the fatigue. Thus, based on this exercise, I believe that the happiness of others makes the world around you brighter.

Religion has always guided people and helped them to do good deeds. As a Christian, from my childhood I watched helping those in need and participated in many charitable acts. My faith is based on the fact that a person cannot pass by the misfortune of another. The Bible says: “finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (Peter 3:8). God calls for people to be good-natured and not leave their neighbors alone with their problems.

My Christian upbringing tells me that people can be cruel. However, if you have a lot of goodness and love inside, helping others is an expression of your attitude towards the Lord. Moreover, Christianity constantly proclaims inner harmony as a necessity. This state is achieved not through worldly entertainment, but by service to the benefit of society. I use faith to not be afraid of being judged or not understanding why I aid others. It gives me strength, even if someone does not agree with my lifestyle. In conclusion, my pro-social day made me feel stronger and more aware of the happiness that comes from helping other people.

About us . (n.d.). Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Web.

King James Bible . (2008). Oxford University Press.

True friends . (n.d.). Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Web.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Kindness — Random Acts of Kindness: How They Benefit the Human Kind and How Technology is Being Used to Aid in These Acts

Random Acts of Kindness: How They Benefit The Human Kind and How Technology is Being Used to Aid in These Acts

• Categories: Kindness

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Essay Samples on Kindness

What does kindness mean to me: a reflection.

What does kindness mean to you? Kindness, a simple yet profound gesture, holds the power to illuminate the lives of both the giver and the receiver. As I contemplate what kindness means to me, I am reminded of its transformative impact on individuals and society...

The Importance of Being Kind to Others

Kindness is a simple yet profound virtue that has the power to transform lives, communities, and the world at large. It is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, fostering connections and nurturing empathy. In a world often marked by division and strife,...

An Act of Kindness: The Ripple Effect of Compassion

Amid the challenges and complexities of the modern world, simple acts of kindness have the power to transcend barriers and create positive change. An act of kindness is a selfless gesture that holds the potential to touch lives, inspire others, and foster a sense of...

A Random Act of Kindness: Experiencing the Goodness of Humanity

In a world that can sometimes feel cold and distant, even the smallest acts of kindness have the power to warm our hearts and restore our faith in humanity. One such act that left a lasting impression on me was a random act of kindness...

The Three Core Values of Aging: Dignity, Kindness, and Security

In the last two centuries, life expectancy has doubled from around forty years to over eighty years in Canada and I personally believe that this is one of humanity’s most incredible feats. However; this improved longevity also presents us with one of our greatest challenges....

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Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years: Where Is Happiness of Life

Imagine having a life all planned out, then one thing goes wrong. Oe someone passes away or they move, it could be a big or a small change, but any situation could completely alter the outlook on life. One day the glass could be half...

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Relation Between Kindness And Happiness

Kindness. Kindness is one of the most powerful forces that boost one’s happiness. We define kindness in countless terms because it holds a different meaning for everyone. From helping someone in need without searching for anything in return, being honest, respecting others' opinions, accepting others...

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Role Of Kindness And Gentleness When Giving Da’wah

Introduction The contemporary dā’ī (preacher) is one who proselytizes to non-Muslims (da’wah) and reforms wayward and ignorant Muslims (ʾiṣlāḥ). They achieve this through volunteering in local projects, encouraging engagement in religious programs and seminars, counselling people in need, enjoining good and forbidding evil (al-‘amr bil...

The Theme of Kindness and Its Loss in Shakespeare's King Lear

Within the world, kindness is a symbol of love and compassion. The values and thoughts individuals may have might differ and contrast with another, but the feeling and joy of bringing kindness into one’s heart is an undeniable sensation that can be appreciated by all...

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Tara Curb, Her Acts of Kindness Association, and Her Unique Vision of Kindness

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The Role of Kindness in the Modern World

In this world full of antagonism, we all affray for existence, but the only thing that brings peace of mind is the hand serving kindness. Remember, any time you have been mean or curt to someone and that actually made you happy? No. It never...

The Nature and Significance of Kindness in Human Societies

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Overview Of My Most Pronounced Personality Traits

Human beings have different personality traits and most likely they are influenced by their peers as well as their background. I think to myself that you can be able to define a person’s character according to their actions and preferably how they relate with people...

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Best topics on Kindness

1. What Does Kindness Mean to Me: a Reflection

2. The Importance of Being Kind to Others

3. An Act of Kindness: The Ripple Effect of Compassion

4. A Random Act of Kindness: Experiencing the Goodness of Humanity

5. The Three Core Values of Aging: Dignity, Kindness, and Security

6. Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years: Where Is Happiness of Life

7. Relation Between Kindness And Happiness

8. Role Of Kindness And Gentleness When Giving Da’wah

9. The Theme of Kindness and Its Loss in Shakespeare’s King Lear

10. Tara Curb, Her Acts of Kindness Association, and Her Unique Vision of Kindness

11. The Role of Kindness in the Modern World

12. The Nature and Significance of Kindness in Human Societies

13. Overview Of My Most Pronounced Personality Traits

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Essay on Kindness

500 words essay on kindness.

The world we live in today has been through a lot of things from world wars to epidemics, but one thing which remained constant throughout was resilience and kindness. Moreover, it was the spirit to fight back and help out each other. Kindness must be an essential and universal quality to make the world a better place. Through an essay on kindness, we will go through it in detail.

Importance of Kindness

Kindness towards nature, animals and other people has the ability to transform the world and make it a beautiful place for living. But, it is also important to remember that kindness towards you is also essential for personal growth.

Kindness is basically being polite, compassionate and thoughtful. Every religion and faith teaches its followers to be kind. Most importantly, kindness must not limit to humans but also to every living creature.

Even nature has its own way of showing kindness. For instance, the trees grow fruits for us and provide us with shade. One must not see kindness as a core value but as a fundamental behavioural element. When you are kind to your loved ones, you create a stable base.

As people are becoming more self-centred today, we must learn kindness. We must try to integrate it into ourselves. You might not know how a small act of kindness can bring about a change in someone’s life. So, be kind always.

Kindness Always Wins

There is no doubt that kindness always wins and it has been proven time and again by people. Sid is a greedy man who does not share his wealth with anyone, not even his family members.

He also does not pay his workers well. One day, he loses his bag of gold coins and loses his temper. Everyone helps him out to search for it but no one finds it. Finally, his worker’s little son finds the bag.

Upon checking the bag, he sees all the coins are there. But, his greed makes him play a trick on the poor worker. He claims that there were more coins in the bag and the worker stole them.

The issue goes to the court and the judge confirms from Sid whether his bag had more coins to which he agrees. So, the judge rules out that as Sid’s bag had more coins , the bag which the worker’s son found is not his.

Therefore, the bag gets handed to the worker as no one else claims it. Consequently, you see how the worker’s son act of kindness won and paid him well. On the other hand, how Sid’s greediness resulted in his loss only.

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Conclusion of the Essay on Kindness

It is essential for all of us to understand the value of kindness. Always remember, it does not cost anything to be kind. It may be a little compliment or it can be a grand gesture, no matter how big or small, kindness always matters. Therefore, try your best to be kind to everyone around you.

FAQ of Essay on Kindness

Question 1: Why is it important to be kind?

Answer 1: It is important to be kind because it makes one feel good about oneself. When you do things for other people and help them with anything, it makes you feel warm and that you have accomplished something. Moreover, you also get respect in return.

Question 2: Why is kindness so powerful?

Answer 2: Kindness has a lot of benefits which includes increased happiness and a healthy heart . It slows down the ageing process and also enhances relationships and connections, which will indirectly boost your health.

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Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

How Kindness Fits Into a Happy Life

We all know that it’s good to be kind to others. Kindness is an important virtue for sustaining relationships, which helps to build a trusting and cooperative society.

You may have also heard that kindness makes you happier and healthier. But what does that mean for you? What acts of kindness will make us happiest, and who tends to benefit the most?

A newly published review of decades of kindness research provides some answers.

In this paper, researchers analyzed the results from 126 research articles looking at almost 200,000 participants from around the world. The studies they chose all had to meet certain criteria, such as including only adults and reporting good statistical data; some were experiments, where people did a kindness practice to observe its effects, while others just surveyed people about how kind and happy they were. The studies measured well-being in a variety of ways, including both mental and physical health.

As expected, people who were kind tended to have higher well-being. Lead researcher Bryant Hui was surprised the relationship was not stronger than it was, but he was still encouraged by the results.

“Although the overall relationship between prosocial (kind and helpful) behavior and well-being is weak, given that so many people around the world act prosocially, the modest effect can still have a significant impact at a societal level,” he says.

A small effect like this—an average of all the participants’ experiences—can sometimes hide other patterns going on below the surface. So, he and his colleagues considered when kindness might have a bigger impact on our well-being.

One thing they found was that people who performed random, informal acts of kindness, like bringing a meal to a grieving friend, tended to be happier than people who performed more formal acts of kindness, like volunteering in a soup kitchen. It’s possible that informal helping may fill our more basic psychological needs for autonomy and close relationships, which is why it could lead to greater happiness.

The researchers also found that people who were kind tended to be higher in “eudaimonic happiness” (a sense of meaning and purpose in life) more than “hedonic happiness” (a sense of pleasure and comfort). Perhaps this makes sense, given that being kind involves effort, which takes away from comfort but could make people feel better about themselves and their abilities, which would provide a sense of meaning.

Being kind came with greater eudaimonic happiness for women than for men, too. According to Hui, this could be because, in many cultures, women are expected to be kinder than men; so, they may have more to gain from it. And younger participants experienced more happiness when they were kind than older participants, perhaps for developmental reasons, he says. Younger adults are at a stage of life where they tend to be figuring out their identity and actively seeking the purpose and meaning in life that kindness can bring, less so than pleasure and comfort.

What other, specific benefits might kindness have? The researchers found that people who were kind tended to have higher self-esteem and a sense of self-efficacy. To a lesser degree, they also experienced less depression and anxiety and improved physical health—with the links to health being strongest in older adults.

Hui doesn’t know for sure why acting kind might have these different effects on different groups, but he points to theories put forth by researcher Elizabeth Midlarsky : Being kind may make us feel better about ourselves as a person or about the meaning of our lives, confirm our self-competence, distract us from our own troubles and stressors, give us a warm-glow feeling, or help us be more socially connected with others. All of these could potentially improve our well-being—reducing our stress, improving our mood, or providing community—and they could hold more importance at different stages of life, too.

By understanding the connection between kindness and well-being, Hui thinks researchers can design better studies that take into account all of the relevant factors, and innovators could create more effective kindness practices. In the future, he hopes there will be kindness apps or online programs that could reach more people, generating a larger impact around the world.

In the meantime, Hui says, the biggest take-home from his research is something he heard the Dalai Lama say long ago: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

“Helping others is a universal virtue and a very affordable and economic way to benefit others’ and our own well-being,” he says. “As the saying goes, helping others is helping yourself.”

About the Author

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie, Psy.D. , is Greater Good ’s former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1998 and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good .

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Essay on Act of Kindness

Students are often asked to write an essay on Act of Kindness in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Act of Kindness

Understanding kindness.

Kindness is a quality that involves being friendly, generous, and considerate. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference in other people’s lives in ways we may not even realize.

Importance of Kindness

Kindness is important because it broadens life’s frame of reference. People who are kind are happier and they spread positivity around them.

Examples of Kindness

Simple acts like giving a smile to a stranger, helping an elderly cross the road, or sharing your lunch with a friend are all acts of kindness.

Kindness is a simple yet powerful way to show others that they matter and are valued.

250 Words Essay on Act of Kindness

The essence of kindness.

Kindness, a simple act that holds immense power, has the potential to transform lives in a profound manner. It’s a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and religions, and is fundamental to human existence.

The Impact of Kindness

The ripple effect of a single act of kindness can be far-reaching. It not only uplifts the recipient’s spirits, but also positively influences the benefactor’s psychological wellbeing. Studies suggest that kindness stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that induces feelings of happiness and contentment.

Kindness and Society

In a society often marred by strife and discord, acts of kindness serve as a potent antidote. They foster social cohesion, promote empathy and understanding, and counteract the detrimental effects of stress, aggression, and antisocial behavior.

Kindness as a Learned Behavior

Kindness is not an innate trait, but a learned behavior. It requires conscious effort and practice to cultivate. Educational institutions play a crucial role in promoting kindness, instilling in students the values of compassion, empathy, and respect for others.

In conclusion, acts of kindness, no matter how small, have the power to make a significant difference in the world. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember that kindness costs nothing, but its value is immeasurable. It is the cornerstone of a harmonious society and a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

500 Words Essay on Act of Kindness

Impact of kindness on society.

Kindness has a profound impact on society. It fosters a sense of community and mutual respect among individuals. When people are kind to each other, they create a positive environment that encourages cooperation and harmony. Kindness can also be a powerful tool for social change. It can help to alleviate social inequalities and injustices by promoting understanding and acceptance.

Kindness and Psychological Well-being

The act of kindness has significant implications for psychological well-being. It can increase happiness, reduce stress, and improve mental health. When we perform acts of kindness, our brain releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. This release induces a feeling of well-being and satisfaction, often referred to as the “helper’s high”. Furthermore, kindness can help to build self-esteem and a positive self-image, as it allows individuals to feel valued and appreciated.

Kindness and Physical Health

Kindness in practice.

Kindness can be practiced in many ways. It can be as simple as a smile, a kind word, or a thoughtful gesture. It can also involve more substantial acts, such as volunteering, donating to charity, or helping someone in need. Despite the form it takes, the act of kindness always has the potential to make a significant difference in someone’s life.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Kindness creates a ripple effect. When we are kind to someone, they are more likely to be kind to others. This cycle of kindness can spread throughout a community, creating a culture of empathy and respect. Moreover, kindness can inspire others to act similarly, thus perpetuating the cycle.

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Do kind things for others

If you want to feel good, doing good is a great place to start..

Helping and being kind not only contributes to the happiness of others, it can also help us to feel happier ourselves! [1] Studies have shown that when we do kind things it can literally gives our brain a boost, activating its ‘reward centres’ [2] and that feels good. It can take our minds off our own worries too. 

Giving and kindness also help us feel connected to others which is important for our wellbeing and contributes to building stronger communities and a happier society for everyone. [3]

There are lots of different ways we can give and  help others .

Every act of kindness counts

From small acts like a friendly smile, a few kind words, helping with bags, or offering up our seat, through to regular volunteering - there are lots of different ways we can give or be kind. We can of course donate money to good causes if we are able to and we can give in lots of non-financial ways too, such as giving a moment of attention, some of our time, knowledge, ideas, energy or support, or even sometimes by giving people the benefit of the doubt, instead of instantly judging them. Acts of kindness add up for our own and others wellbeing and all contribute to creating happier communities. [4]

Reflection: What’s a small act of kindness you could do today?

Helping others can boost happiness in many ways

Scientific studies show that helping others can contribute to our happiness in different ways. These include: experiencing more positive emotions and satisfaction with life [5]; increasing our sense of meaning [6], and boosting our self-confidence. It can reduce stress and help us feel calmer too. [7] Some studies have found that people who volunteered regularly were found to be more hopeful and experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety and may even live longer. [8]  Not all acts of helping boost how happy we feel – to maximise the benefits, it’s important that we’ve chosen if or how we help; we can see or sense that it will have a positive impact; and it helps us feel more connected to others. [9]

So if you want to feel good, find ways you can do good! 

Reflection: When was a time that you chose to give or help others that boosted how happy you felt? What contributed to that?

Everyone needs kindness

Giving and being kind can help us feel more connected to others and contribute to nurturing our relationships - and that’s good for wellbeing all round! [10] Our acts of kindness might be for family, friends, colleagues, or neighbours or even strangers. They could be old or young, nearby or far away. It could be a one-off spontaneous gesture or something we do regularly. It could be a compassionate response in a time of crisis or need or simply because it’s a nice thing to do. There are always ways to be kind.

Reflection: Who have you been kind to recently? Who has been kind to you?

Create kindness ripples

Studies have shown that when we do something kind both the recipient and other people who witness that kind act are more likely to be kind themselves. [11] So our kindnesses are amplified, contributing to a happier world! Expressing gratitude for help others give us also ripples out too. [12]

Reflection: Who can you thank for what they give to you?

Ask for help when you need it

Think about it - if helping others boosts happiness, asking for help when we need it could give the person we ask the opportunity for a feel good boost. It can also mean they are then more likely to ask for help when they need it. Certainly communities where people feel they can rely on others to help are happier and more resilient. [13] Asking for help builds connection - so it isn’t only for when we are struggling. We can also ask for help to share experiences, when we’d value support, or when we want to learn something new. 

Reflection: What’s something you’d like help with? Who can you ask?

Balancing your own needs and those of others

Helping is associated with increased happiness and health, but feeling obligated or overly burdened by it can be detrimental, [14] as can be the case for long-term carers. If you are a carer, taking care of your own wellbeing matters – for yourself and the people you are helping. Even small actions that give you a quick break or a boost can help you sustain your physical and psychological health and so your ability to continue caring for others.

Reflection:  What is an action you can take to maintain your own wellbeing, to help you sustain caring for others?

Sustainable giving

As a general rule, we can be more effective, regular givers if we find ways to help that we enjoy, which are in line with our own strengths and feel worthwhile or meaningful. If we are happier givers, the recipients will likely benefit more, and we are more likely to continue to give. Choosing how we help and give to others, giving in ways that boost our sense of social connection and in which we feel effective and impactful all matter in order to sustain giving and helping others. [15] Happier people tend to help others more, so taking care of your own wellbeing helps you sustain giving too. [16]

Reflection: What ways of helping others do you enjoy or find energising?

1 Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., &amp; Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320-329. Aknin, L. B., Dunn, E. W., &; Norton, M. I. (2012). Happiness runs in a circular motion: Evidence for a positive feedback loop between prosocial spending and happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(2), 347-355.

2 Harbaugh, W. T., Mayr, U., &; Burghart, D. R. (2007). Neural responses to taxation and voluntary giving reveal motives for charitable donations. Science, 316(5831), 1622-1625.

3 Aknin, L. B., Whillans, A. V., Norton, M. I., &amp; Dunn, E. W. (2019). Happiness and prosocial behavior: An evaluation of the evidence. World Happiness Report 2019, 67-86. Okabe-Miyamoto, K., &; Lyubomirsky, S. (2021). Social connection and well-being during COVID-19. World Happiness Report, 131-152.

4 Aknin, L. B., Whillans, A. V., Norton, M. I., &amp; Dunn, E. W. (2019). Happiness and prosocial behavior: An evaluation of the evidence. World Happiness Report 2019, 67-86. Okabe-Miyamoto, K., &; Lyubomirsky, S. (2021). Social connection and well-being during COVID-19. World Happiness Report, 131-152.

5 Aknin, L. B., &amp; Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.

6 What Works Centre for Wellbeing Briefing Paper (2020) Volunteer wellbeing: what works and who benefits? https://whatworkswellbeing.org/resources/volunteer-wellbeing-what-works-and-who-benefits/

7 Luks, A. A. (1988). Helper&#39;s high. Psychology Today, 22(10), 39.; Piliavin, J. (2003). Doing well by doing good: Benefits for the benefactor. In C. M. Keyes, J. Haidt, C. M. Keyes, J. Haidt (Eds.) , Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived (pp. 227-247). Washington, DC US: American Psychological Association.

8 Aknin, L. B., Whillans, A. V., Norton, M. I., &amp; Dunn, E. W. (2019). Happiness and prosocial behavior: An evaluation of the evidence. World Happiness Report 2019, 67-86. Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., &; Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320-329. King, V. (2016) 10 Keys to Happier Living – A Practical Guide for Happiness. Hachette. Lyubomirsky, S, Sheldon, K M, &; Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111 - 131

9 Aknin, L. B., &amp; Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.; King, V. (2016) 10 Keys to Happier Living – A Practical Guide for Happiness. Hachette.

10 Aknin, L. B., &amp; Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.; Helliwell, J. F., Aknin, L. B., Shiplett, H., Huang, H., &amp; Wang, S. (2017). Social capital and prosocial behaviour as sources of well-being. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper 23761

11 Jung, H., Seo, E., Han, E., Henderson, M. D., and Patall, E. A. (2020). Prosocial modeling: A meta-analytic review and synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 146(8), 635

12 Algoe, S. B., Dwyer, P. C., Younge, A., &; Oveis, C. (2020). A new perspective on the social functions of emotions: Gratitude and the witnessing effect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 119(1), 40.

13 Aknin, L. B., &amp; Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.; Helliwell, J. F., Aknin, L. B., Shiplett, H., Huang, H., &; Wang, S. (2017). Social capital and prosocial behaviour as sources of well-being. National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper 23761

14 Aknin, L. B., &amp; Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34

15 Aknin, L. B., &amp; Whillans, A. V. (2021). Helping and happiness: A review and guide for public policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15(1), 3-34.; King, V. (2016) 10 Keys to Happier Living – A Practical Guide for Happiness. Hachette.

16 Aknin, L. B., Dunn, E. W., &amp; Norton, M. I. (2012). Happiness runs in a circular motion: Evidence for a positive feedback loop between prosocial spending and happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(2), 347-355.

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• Days of our Lives

Days of our Lives Recaps: The week of July 29, 2024 on DAYS

Andrew helped Theresa. Eric and Nicole made love and left Salem. Tate failed to tell Theresa about camp. Paulina appointed Jada as interim commissioner. Leo guessed that Everett was Bobby. Bobby admitted to Jada that he was not integrated. Connie planted evidence and staged Bobby's suicide by overdose. Everett said goodbye to Stephanie before he died. Abe cast Hattie on the soap, and he hired Johnny as the director. Connie overheard Ava talk about her fling with Stefan. Jack and Chad located the room from Clyde's video. Stefan lied to Gabi on their anniversary. Xander talked to Fiona. John disappeared.

Eric and Nicole say goodbye to Salem

Monday, July 29, 2024

At the Horton cabin, Holly arrived and found Tate looking at his phone and ranting about what his mom had done. She started to say she had something that she needed to tell him, but Tate cut her off and exclaimed that his mom had been arrested. He couldn't believe that his mother had been so judgmental of him or that his mom had apparently lied when she had vowed that she had changed. Holly comforted Tate and told him she had news that she hoped he would like: Holly would be moving in with her grandmother.

Holly explained the situation with Nicole to Tate. He replied that he was happy Holly was staying in Salem, but Holly noticed Tate still seemed downtrodden. He confided that he felt sorry for his mom, but at the same time, he was very angry with her for all the people she had hurt. He decided that he would focus on the one positive, which was that he and Holly would not have to sneak around anymore. Holly expressed regret at the circumstances, as well, but she was thankful that she and Tate had each other.

Tate realized that he and Holly might still have a problem with his dad, who would not be happy about Tate's deception. Holly suggested that Tate fake an injury in order to explain his potential return home, but Tate believed the idea was a no-go, since Sophia likely wouldn't stay quiet. The teens agreed they'd still have to keep their relationship under wraps. Holly thought she should go wish her mother goodbye, but she didn't want to leave Tate alone. Tate assured her he'd be fine, as he was used to his mother doing "crazy things," and he encouraged Holly to go.

At the police station, Andrew joined Theresa in an interrogation room. Before Andrew could speak, Theresa rambled about how she knew Andrew was disappointed and ashamed of her and that he had probably come to disown her. Andrew corrected his sister and proclaimed that he was proud of her. A shocked Theresa wondered how Andrew could be proud when she had committed multiple felonies. He clarified that he was proud that she had turned herself in, which he believed demonstrated her character.

Theresa lamented that "character" would not do her much good when she was facing "hard time." Andrew responded that he would try to negotiate a deal for Theresa. While her actions would have consequences, Andrew believed that the swiftness with which Victoria had been returned to her parents, along with the tampering of the letter having taken place on foreign soil, could be mitigating factors in Theresa's favor. Theresa grew hopeful that she could beat the charges but wondered why Andrew was so determined to help her.

Andrew reminisced about the time he had wrecked their dad's "James Bond car" when he had been a teenager. Theresa had taken the fall for him by claiming that she had wrecked the car. Theresa said she had accepted blame because "what was one more awful thing?" added to the list of bad things she had done when she had been younger. Just then, Andrew received a call from Shane. He handed the phone to Theresa, who braced herself to face her father's condemnation.

Later, Theresa was alone when she told Shane that she loved him and tearfully ended the call. She then called Tate with Andrew's phone. After asking about lacrosse camp, Theresa told Tate that she had reached out to confirm that everything Tate had likely heard was true. She then apologized to Tate for her treatment of him and said Tate having taken responsibility for his bad acts had set a positive example for her.

Theresa further claimed Tate had been the reason she had turned herself in. Just as a guilty Tate prepared to confess to his lies, Theresa assured him that she would not stand in the way if Tate wanted to continue a relationship with Holly when he returned home. Tate replied that he was proud of his mom, and he and Theresa confirmed their love for each other. After Theresa hung up, Andrew reentered, and Theresa looked at him with anxious anticipation.

In Marlena's office, Marlena and Kayla speculated about whether or not Everett could have been faking his integration. Abe's arrival interrupted them. Marlena was happy to see Abe but curious as to why he had visited her. Abe announced that he had an offer neither Marlena nor Kayla could refuse. Abe explained about Body & Soul being canceled and how he and Kate had acquired the rights to the show. Marlena and Kayla expressed happiness for Abe and promised to support him with whatever help he needed, including a potential investment.

Abe was glad to hear Kayla and Marlena's offer because he needed "stars" for the show. Marlena was puzzled as to what Abe's need for actors had to do with her. With a smile, Kayla responded that she knew. She told Marlena about Abe's insistence that she and Marlena resembled characters on the show. Abe showed Marlena a picture of the character of Charlemagne. Marlena conceded there might be a "slight resemblance," but Abe insisted the resemblances were "uncanny" and that Marlena and Kayla would be perfect for the relaunch of the show.

Kayla and Marlena were flattered but turned Abe down, citing their busy hospital schedules. Abe argued that the show could shoot around their schedules, and they could even do location shooting at the hospital. The women again declined the offer. Just then, Kayla, Marlena, and Abe all received a text asking them to go to the pub for a celebration for Nicole and Eric. Marlena said she would explain the reason for the gathering, and Abe vowed to use the car ride to the pub as an opportunity to change Marlena and Kayla's minds.

In Eric's room, as Eric packed, Eric and Nicole discussed what they needed to bring with them. Eric realized the bag he was using had been the same one from when Nicole had stopped him at the airport. Nicole happily stated how much things had changed, since they were going to Paris together, and she hugged Eric. He asked her how she felt about leaving Holly behind. Nicole comforted herself with the notion that Holly would be surrounded by family and that Holly seemed to be in a better place.

Nicole admitted that she would miss Holly a great deal, but she needed to let her daughter live her life while Nicole focused on her life with Jude. "And with me," Eric added. Nicole asked Eric to pinch her because she felt like she was in a dream. He suggested that he had a better idea and gave her a loving kiss. Eric dimmed the lights and then reapproached Nicole, who was sitting on the bed. They shared an emotional embrace and then tenderly made love.

In the afterglow, Nicole insinuated that the experience had been amazing. "And we didn't even need biscuits," she joked. As they continued sharing kisses, Nicole suddenly exclaimed that she and Eric had just committed adultery. They both laughed and agreed that neither felt "the least bit guilty," then the couple exchanged declarations of love.

At the Brady Pub, Roman -- who was watching Jude -- hung up a "Bon Voyage!" sign above the bar. Kate arrived and asked Roman about the festive dcor. He informed her that Eric and Nicole were moving to Paris. Roman launched into a complaint about E.J. and his continued harassment of Nicole and Eric. Kate believed that the time away might be a good thing for the couple, especially since they would be relocating to the City of Lights, Paris. When Kate asked about Holly, Roman updated her on the plans for Holly to move in with Maggie.

Roman and Kate agreed that they would not want a teenager living under their roofs again. Kate reminded Roman that she had enough "drama" in her life with her newest business venture. Roman congratulated Kate on the acquisition, and Kate mentioned that Abe was busy with "casting."

Later, Kate greeted an arriving Abe, Kayla, and Marlena. Kate was disappointed but not surprised when Abe told her that Kayla and Marlena had turned down his pitch. Abe pledged again that he was not giving up, even with the idea of Kate playing the role of Lorna. The women good-naturedly scoffed at Abe's pledge. As the other three departed to mingle, Marlena caught up with Roman.

Marlena had tried to contact Brady, but Roman reminded her that Eric and Nicole had given them all short notice. They agreed that they would miss Eric and Jude. Holly arrived and chatted briefly with Roman and Marlena. Then, Nicole and Eric came downstairs and were surprised and touched at the send-off. They shared hugs with the guests.

Marlena toasted to Eric and Nicole's future and to their happiness, and the couple's story through the years played out in flashbacks. Afterward, Eric admitted to Marlena and Roman that he'd never been happier. They tearfully reiterated how much they would all miss each other, and Eric gave his parents a heartfelt hug.

Across the pub, Nicole said her goodbyes to Abe and insisted he visit her any time. Then, Holly tearfully approached her mother and apologized for all the negative things she had said to Nicole. Holly referred to her mom as a "wonderful person" and a "really great mom." She also expressed happiness that her mom would finally be with the person with whom she had always belonged.

When Holly stated how proud she was of her mother, Nicole, in turn, praised Holly's "strength" and "kindness." She only wanted her daughter to have the best life, and Holly reiterated that that was what she wanted for Nicole, too. Mother and daughter tearfully hugged and reaffirmed their love.

Later, Nicole and Eric waved goodbye to the group as they left the pub. Once they were gone, Marlena exhaled and said she needed "a really good cry." Abe declared that Eric and Nicole were together, "as it should be." He then invoked Body & Soul and said that just like in the show, "people leave, but they almost always come back."

Outside the pub, Eric and Nicole looked fondly at their sleeping son. Eric believed he might be the one who was dreaming, and Nicole added that if it was a dream, "I don't want to wake up." Eric asked Nicole if she was ready, and she exuberantly replied, "I've never been more ready." With Jude in tow, Eric and Nicole departed to begin their new life together.

Jada forces a confession out of Bobby

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

by Spalding

Chanel startled awake, and Johnny reminded her that she had taken the morning off from the bakery. Chanel breathed a sigh of relief. "The morning belongs to us," Johnny whispered. As Johnny kissed Chanel, she pushed him away. Chanel said she wanted to remain mindful of the doctor's advice to avoid pregnancy for a year. "After my miscarriage, I'm not taking any chances," Chanel said. Chanel reached into her nightstand for her birth control pills, and she swallowed one.

"I don't know if this is the right time to say this or not, but I know there's a risk of another molar pregnancy in the future. And if that's not something you feel you can handle, I just want you to know it's okay, you know, if we don't," Johnny said. Chanel shook her head. "If there's one thing I learned from this experience, it's that when the time is right, it'll be right. And I cannot wait to have a baby with you. If you're good with that," Chanel said. Johnny smiled, and they made love.

Afterward, Johnny reminded Chanel that they needed to meet her mother for breakfast. With a groan, Chanel complained that she never got to lie in bed because of her early work schedule. "You want to reschedule?" Johnny asked. Chanel argued that they could be late, and she kissed Johnny.

At the offices of Body & Soul , Abe and Kate celebrated their new venture. Abe sifted through a stack of head shots, and he wished aloud that there would be good candidates at their open casting call for the reboot of the soap opera. "We certainly have a lot of roles to fill. We just have to do it quickly," Kate said. Kate noted that they needed to make the reboot available on streaming before the audience moved on. There was a knock at the door, and Abe and Kate grinned at one another.

"Let the auditions begin," Kate said. "Imagine, our next big star could be on the other side of that door," Abe said. Kate opened the door, and Abe cheerfully said, "Marlena! I'm so glad you changed your mind." The woman stomped in and ordered Abe not to call her Marlena. Kate noted that the woman was in character. "You are the one and only Charlemagne," Abe said. "I am the one and only Hattie Adams!" Hattie said. Confused, Kate said she had heard that Hattie had left town.

Hattie admitted that she had left town in order to find herself, but she had not found comfort in a nunnery or a nudist colony. "It didn't seem like I fit in anywhere," Hattie said. Hattie explained that she had realized that she had last been comfortable when she had impersonated Marlena. "So, my calling is, I am an actress," Hattie said proudly. "I see," Kate murmured. Hattie said she had seen the casting notice for the soap opera, and she had always believed that she had looked like Charlemagne.

"I think we need to pause a moment. Because you may look like Charlemagne, but can you play the part?" Kate asked. "I played Marlena, didn't I?" Hattie countered. Kate asked Hattie to audition. "Give me a script. Come on! I'll show you Charlemagne," Hattie said. Abe handed script sides to Hattie, and he directed Kate to play the role of Lorna for the audition. "Of course," Kate said as she rolled her eyes. Hattie stumbled through a few failed attempts, and Abe gave her some direction. When Hattie finally gave a believable performance, she asked if she had the role. Abe saw Kate's scowl, and he asked Hattie to wait outside.

"I know she looks the part, but she can't act," Kate complained. Abe suggested an acting coach. "If we don't get what we want, then we'll make a change. But that look," Abe said. Kate sighed. After a moment, Kate agreed. Kate yelled for Hattie to return, and Hattie rushed into the room. "You're hired," Abe said. Hattie danced in celebration, and she thanked Abe and Kate for the chance.

While Abe stepped out, Kate talked to Hattie about her contract. Hattie wanted to haggle over her pay, but Kate insisted that Hattie did not have the experience that warranted more. "I think I need some perks," Hattie complained. Hattie mentioned a few items, but Kate shot each of them down. "Would Abe want an unhappy Charlemagne?" Hattie asked. "You're making a mistake if you think you can twist that man to your advantage," Kate advised Hattie. Kate told Hattie that the offer was "take it or leave it." Hattie signed the contract.

Stephanie was working at the caf in the square when Jada called her from the police station. "I told [Marlena] our theory that Everett never re-emerged and that Bobby is still in control," Jada said. Jada confirmed that Marlena was limited by doctor-patient confidentiality, but Jada felt like Marlena agreed with the assessment.

"And how did she react when you told her that we think that he may have stabbed Rafe?" Stephanie asked. "I'm keeping that on a need-to-know basis," Jada said. Stephanie agreed. Leo stopped by the table, and he asked Stephanie, "What did Everett do now?" Stephanie hurriedly ended her call, and she teased Leo about sneaking up on people.

"I smell a story," Leo said. Stephanie was reluctant to say anything, but Leo argued that the paper was a mess. "Okay. But this goes no further than this table," Stephanie said. Stephanie told Leo that Everett had dumped her. "That cad! Steph, I'm so sorry," Leo said. Leo admitted that he was surprised.

"Before Everett was sent to Bayview, he prattled on about you constantly," Leo said. Leo argued that something was off about the situation. "[Everett] told me he wanted to focus on his mental health. He didn't think it was fair to ask me to wait for him while he got better," Stephanie said. Leo raised an eyebrow. "But you would have waited, right? And Everett knew that," Leo said. Leo argued that Everett had not been acting like himself since his release from Bayview.

"How so?" Stephanie asked. "He has been moody and withdrawn for one thing. The other day, I had to say his name three times before he heard it. It was almost like he didn't recognize it," Leo said. Leo gasped. Leo hypothesized aloud that it had been Bobby that had dumped Stephanie, not Everett. Leo pointed out that Jada had been married to Bobby. "If Bobby is still in control, maybe he dumped you so he could be with her!" Leo said. Stephanie dismissed Leo's theory, and she stressed that Bobby was not in control of Everett. Leo disagreed.

Stephanie asked Leo to keep his theory to himself. "I could just make it a blind item," Leo suggested. "A blind item? About someone with multiple personalities and two loves? Everyone will know who you are talking about. Not to mention, you'd be writing a blind item about your boss, who I doubt would take kindly to you making insinuations about his mental health in the paper he edits," Stephanie argued. Leo sighed. "Do you think I could be right?" Leo asked. Stephanie said no. Leo offered to talk to Everett, but Stephanie begged him to drop the matter.

After Stephanie walked away, Leo smirked. "Not gonna help. What does she know? It's not like I'm without certain talents. Besides, when have I ever stayed out of anything?" Leo said.

At the Salem Inn, Connie delivered a latte and doughnuts to Bobby. Bobby hustled Connie into his room. "I thought we agreed we would not be seen together," Bobby muttered. Bobby reminded Connie that he had told Jada that he knew the real identity of Li's killer. "You're begging for someone to catch a glimpse of us and connect the dots," Bobby argued. Connie said she was not worried.

"What do you know that I don't?" Bobby asked. Connie thought about when she had overheard Jada and Stephanie talk about the likelihood that Bobby was posing as Everett and that Bobby had stabbed Rafe. Connie did not tell Bobby what she had witnessed. "I've got a perfect record. Whenever I commit a crime, I get away with it," Connie said. Bobby asked Connie how many crimes she had "gotten away with." Connie argued that Rafe's stabbing was Bobby's crime.

"I don't know you. I don't like you. You're not my friend. So, I hope you understand when I say I never want to see you again," Bobby said. Connie agreed. As Connie started to leave, she asked Bobby to pay for the doughnuts. Bobby refused. Connie explained that she had purchased them in order to give Bobby an excuse to visit Jada. Connie reminded Bobby that Jada did not like Everett.

"Won't be an issue. After my recent breakthrough with Dr. Evans, Bobby and Everett have been integrated, so Everett can believably do anything that I want him to do. And he never has to find out about his ugly past," Bobby said. "Everett really owes you, keeping you locked up in that mental dungeon of yours," Connie noted. Bobby gave Connie cash for the doughnuts. With a grin, Connie asked to take a doughnut to go. As Bobby turned his back to retrieve the doughnut, Connie stole Everett's room key from his wallet.

Bobby opened the door, and he looked around the hallway to make sure it was clear. Connie exited. "Well, Bobby, Everett, and whoever else you have in there, have a great life," Connie said. "Try to keep the murders to a minimum, okay?" Bobby joked. Connie grinned and walked away.

At the police station, Jada thanked Paulina for the flowers in Rafe's room and for her well wishes. "I need to appoint an interim commissioner," Paulina said. Jada asked about the candidate. "You," Paulina said. Paulina called Jada the most qualified. Jada said she was flattered, but that she hesitated to replace the man she loved. "You'd only be taking it until he wakes up," Paulina assured Jada. Paulina argued that Rafe would want Jada to lead the team to solve the stabbing and keep the department running.

"It's kind of hard for me to turn it down when you put it that way," Jada said. "I'm not a politician for nothing, honey. So, is that a yes?" Paulina asked. Jada accepted, and she promised to work nonstop to find the culprit that had stabbed Rafe. With a grin, Paulina gave Jada her private number. Paulina glanced over at Jada's desk, and she saw the Li Shin murder file. Paulina asked about it.

"I reopened it," Jada admitted. Jada explained that she had learned new information. "There may be yet another suspect," Jada said. Paulina gave her blessing to round up any suspects. "The last thing this town needs is another killer on the loose," Paulina said. Jada stressed that she needed to proceed with caution. "The same person who is a suspect in Li Shin's murder, they may be tied to Rafe, as well," Jada said. Jada told Paulina that she had a plan in motion.

Jada called Everett's phone, and "Everett" answered. "I'm not happy with the way we left things the last time we saw each other. And so I was hoping maybe we could talk," Jada said. Jada asked "Everett" to meet her at the police station. At the Salem Inn, Bobby grabbed Everett's wallet and the doughnuts, and he left to meet Jada. Moments later, a gloved Connie entered Everett's room with the stolen key card.

Connie sat down at Everett's laptop, and she typed up something. "There. That should do it," Connie said. Connie reached into her purse, and she pulled out a Ziploc bag with a pair of bloody gloves inside. "Never trash something you're gonna need later on," Connie said. Connie took the gloves with Rafe's blood on them out of the bag. As Connie looked around the room for a place to plant the gloves, someone knocked on the door.

Paulina met up with Chanel and Johnny at the pub for breakfast. "Jada already has a suspect in Rafe's attack," Paulina said. "I'm sure that [Rafe] will pull through this. He already did once before," Chanel said. Paulina noted that no one was more motivated to find the assailant than Jada. Over breakfast, Paulina told Chanel that she was glad that Chanel and the bakery were both still in Salem. Chanel agreed.

"I'm still very sad about what happened, but I feel so lucky to get to see my Mama every day," Chanel said. "I'm the lucky one," Paulina countered. Chanel looked at Johnny, and she told Paulina that they had discussed their future. "Someday, when the time is right, we will try again to start a family," Chanel announced. Paulina gret teary-eyed, and she smiled.

"What about the plan to move to L.A.?" Paulina asked. Johnny explained that he planned to look for production work closer to Salem. With a groan, Paulina noted that local government broadcasts of school board meetings were full of drama. "They can give 'Body & Soul' a run for their money," Paulina said with a chuckle. Abe arrived to join his family for breakfast. "I was just about to advise Johnny to hit you up for a job," Paulina said. "Great minds think alike," Abe said. Abe asked Johnny to direct his soap opera. "It's everything I could ask for," Johnny said. Johnny accepted the job.

In the interrogation room at the police station, Bobby handed the box of doughnuts to Jada, and he called them a peace offering. "I know I crossed a line the other day in Rafe's hospital room. You must be going through so much right now, and the last thing that I want to do is make you uncomfortable at all," "Everett" said. Jada thanked "Everett." "I was actually pretty worried about you, to be honest," Jada said. Jada noted that Everett had not acted like himself.

"I can explain that. Remember how I said that I was starting to feel some of Bobby's feelings, like he's part of me? Well, it's because he is a part of me," Bobby said. Bobby talked about his hypnotherapy with Marlena. "I started to remember all these things that I'd blocked out for years," Bobby said. Jada grinned, and she commented that it was great to hear that Everett had recovered his memories.

"Don't you see? Bobby knew who killed Li Shin. So, that means that you now know, too. And you can finally tell me," Jada said. Jada picked up her notebook. Bobby explained that the integration did not work like Jada imagined it did. "I'm thinking about it now, and it's just fuzzy," Bobby said. "In other words, you still don't want to tell me what you saw the day Li Shin was murdered," Jada said. "Bobby was the one who was stringing you along with that one, right?" Bobby said. With a nod, Jada reminded "Everett" that he had said he was integrated.

"Maybe Rafe was right. Maybe you didn't see anything, so there is nothing to remember," Jada said. Bobby shrugged. "Or maybe you don't want to tell me who stabbed Li Shin, because that person is you," Jada said. Bobby laughed. "Seriously? I barely knew the guy," Bobby said. Jada pointed out that Rafe and Li had both been stabbed in the same manner.

"Now, I'm not sure what your motive would be to kill Li Shin, I mean, I don't know if you have one that I'm not aware of, but I can think of several reasons why you would want Rafe out of the way," Jada said. "Slow this down a little bit, Jada," Bobby said. Jada pressed on. "How many times did I tell you that I am in a committed relationship with Rafe?" Jada asked. Bobby remained silent.

"You know what I think? I think that you pretended that Everett emerged. I think that you were Bobby when you went into Bayview. You were Bobby when you left Bayview. And you were Bobby when you stabbed Rafe in the back," Jada said. After a moment of silence, Bobby took a deep breath.

"I know this is difficult to understand, but Bobby is gone. I don't need him anymore," Bobby said. "So you say," Jada countered. Bobby encouraged Jada to talk to Marlena to confirm that he was Everett. "That's cute. You know she can't talk to me about your case unless you're about to commit another murder," Jada grumbled. Jada asked Bobby if he intended to commit another murder.

"I'm not Bobby. And I'm not a murderer," Bobby said. "You were freed from Bayview the same day Rafe got stabbed. And Stephanie went to visit you right after it happened, and she told me that you were just getting out of the shower. So, what were you doing? Were you washing off evidence from a bloody crime scene?" Jada asked. Bobby laughed, and he said no. "Then why do you look so guilty, Bobby?" Jada asked. Bobby reiterated, "I'm not Bobby." Jada told Bobby that he was the prime suspect in both stabbings.

"I'm going to summon some experts. They're gonna come in here and examine you, and they're gonna tell me, which I'm pretty sure, that you are still Bobby and you are not Everett. And you better come back with some better responses than these lame denials and excuses," Jada argued. "Fine! I'm Bobby. I admit it. But I did not stab Li. And I did not stab Rafe," Bobby said. Bobby admitted that he knew who was to blame.

Connie claims another victim

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Connie sneaked into Bobby's hotel room and prepared to plant evidence implicating Bobby. She froze at a knock on the door and heard Leo's voice calling out. She muttered about the "gossipy little gadfly" bur remained silent. On the other side of the door, Leo claimed he wanted to talk with "Everett" about Stephanie. When Everett didn't answer, Leo claimed he would leave.

However, Leo's curiosity was piqued after he heard a loud noise in the room, which had resulted from Connie knocking over a candlestick. Leo eventually gave up and left, after which Connie planted gloves, a note, and a pill bottle around the room. She smiled with satisfaction after she was done. When she left the room, she dropped her keycard that she had used to get in.

At the police station, Jada accused Bobby of stabbing Li and Rafe. She also grilled him about the reasons she thought he was still Bobby. Following Jada's threat to call in experts for an evaluation of him, Bobby admitted he was in control but denied culpability in the crimes. He acknowledged that he did know the true culprit's identity. Jada insisted on answers.

Before Bobby could identify the attacker, a pained expression crossed his face, and he claimed he did not feel well. Jada grew angry and blasted Bobby for faking an ailment again. He insisted that he felt sick and that his head was spinning. Then, he asked for a moment and rushed out the door. Jada started to follow him but was interrupted by a phone call.

Later, Bobby stumbled to his door and saw the key card on the floor. He slumped to the ground to retrieve it. Bobby managed to get back into the room and fell onto the bed. He noticed the pill bottle beside the bed but dropped it before he could read its contents. He groaned in pain.

Bobby remembered Connie's prior arrival at his door and that she had brought coffee with her. He realized that Connie had likely drugged him, and he attempted to call 9-1-1. Then, he passed out.

Outside the pub, Stephanie called Jada and warned her via voicemail that Leo suspected Everett was Bobby.

Later, Stephanie arrived at the police station and found Jada. After Jada ended her call, she updated a shocked Stephanie on Bobby's admission. Jada was frustrated because Bobby had wanted to go home before she could question him further about the stabbings. Stephanie wondered why Jada had let Bobby leave, but Jada responded that she'd had no choice, since they had no evidence that Bobby had broken the law. Stephanie exclaimed that she needed to stop Bobby from potentially leaving town and raced out, with Jada close behind.

Later, Stephanie and Jada arrived at Everett's apartment. Jada used a keycard she had retrieved from the front desk to get them inside. An unconscious Bobby was sprawled on the bed, and they rushed to him. Jada tried to rouse Bobby, and Stephanie frantically asked if he was dead. Jada confirmed he had a faint pulse and then spotted the pill bottle. Jada asked Bobby how many pills he had taken. He mumbled incoherently before stating that he hadn't taken any pills.

In Ava's DiMera Enterprises office, Gabi pitched advertising ideas for Gabi Chic's relaunch. A distracted Ava apologized for her seeming disinterest and asked about Rafe. Gabi updated her on Rafe's medical condition, and Ava expressed hope that the police would apprehend the perpetrator. As Gabi vowed vengeance on the attacker, she received a call from Stefan. He needed to see Gabi at the Bistro immediately.

Gabi agreed to meet Stefan. After she hung up, she informed Ava about Stefan's urgent request and apologized for having to leave. Ava assured Gabi that it was fine, but her expression grew worried after Gabi left.

Later, Kristen entered the office. She and Ava chatted briefly about the Gabi Chic relaunch before Ava fretted to Kristen about the possibility that Stefan might be planning a confession. Kristen hushed Ava and advised her not to blurt out about Ava's tryst with Stefan in public places. A chipper Connie entered the office with cups of coffee. Following a testy greeting from Kristen, Connie informed the women that she was Gabi's new assistant and that she had brought coffee.

Kristen snatched one of the cups for herself as an amused Ava looked on. After taking a sip, Kristen spit out the coffee and asked what Connie had put in it. Connie flashed back to sprinkling a powdery substance over Bobby's coffee. She insisted to Kristen that she hadn't put anything in the drink and added, "at least not that one." Kristen curtly asked "Cathy" to get her some sweetener.

Connie tersely restated her name and reiterated that she worked for Gabi. "Who works for me," Kristen snapped before ordering Connie out. When Connie left to fetch the coffee, Ava worried that she had overheard Kristen and Ava discussing Stefan and Gabi. Ava received a text from Gabi, informing her that Gabi was celebrating her and Stefan's anniversary, and Ava was relieved. Connie returned with the coffee and inquired which desk was hers.

Kristen flippantly replied to ask Gabi and then left with Ava. Happily humming, Connie claimed an empty desk for herself. She promised that with "the Bobby problem" gone, she would focus on making Gabi and Stefan pay for what they had done to Li. Connie flashed back to overhearing Kristen and Ava discussing Stefan's tryst with Ava. Connie smirked that "the perfect ammunition" had fallen into her lap.

Gabi rushed into the Bistro and found a smiling Stefan, who had prepared the restaurant for a romantic outing. Gabi chastised Stefan for taking her away from important work, but when he offered her flowers and declared, "Happy anniversary," she accepted the offerings with a smile. She apologized for forgetting the day, and Stefan good-naturedly reminded her that they'd gotten married twice on the day. Stefan had wanted to mark the occasion with something special. He gifted Gabi a loving kiss and promised that the surprises were only beginning.

Stefan confided that he had written Gabi a poem in the hopes that he could recite it to her on their anniversary. Gabi was touched, as she hadn't known that Stefan was a poet in addition to a musician. Stefan pledged to set the poem to music one day and then took Gabi in his arms. He recited the poem, which ended with the lines, "Whatever else there is means nothing much, you see? 'Cause you are everything to me."

Gabi called the poem beautiful and shared a loving kiss with "mi amour." Stefan said Gabi should thank his "muse" for the poem, whom he characterized as "the woman I fall more and more in love with every day." He poured them Champagne and toasted "to the year ahead." They kissed passionately again.

Jack greeted Chad at the Spectator and informed his son-in-law that he had recruited a photojournalist friend and the friend's AI techniques to ascertain whether or not the woman in the picture was Abigail. Jack admitted that if the friend wasn't successful, then they would have hit a "dead end." Jack dreaded telling Jennifer if they were back at "square one." Chad affirmed that he needed the truth, even if it meant the end result was letting his wife "rest in peace" again.

Jack excused himself, but before he left, Chad said that he wanted Jack to have the other half of the Spectator back. Jack thanked Chad for the offer but insisted that the paper stay with Chad, as it had always been intended for Abigail. He couldn't allow himself to hope that she might soon reclaim it, but Jack still wanted Chad to oversee the paper for Thomas and Charlotte.

After Jack departed, Leo strolled into Chad's office and ruminated over whether he should write about Alex, Xander -- whom he had heard would be joining Body & Soul , or Everett. Chad wondered what was happening with Everett, so Leo informed him about Everett's strange behavior and Everett's apparent refusal to answer his door. Leo started to ask Chad about DID but stopped himself and instead rambled about the tension he had been experiencing lately.

Leo worried that with Jack's renewed presence at the Spectator , Gwen might make an appearance, as well. He lamented the loss of his relationship with his "bestie" over Dimitri, who had ultimately dumped him. Leo had begun doubting Dimitri's claim that he had met someone in prison. Leo speculated that Dimitri had instead tried to get back together with Gwen in order to secure Dimitri's inheritance. Chad was skeptical of Leo's thought process and wondered if Leo would be less upset if Dimitri had reunited with Gwen.

Leo believed he would be more upset because he hadn't wanted Gwen to get her heart broken again. He admitted that he missed both Dimitri and Gwen. Chad gave Leo a pep talk and mentioned Leo's good qualities. When Leo insisted on clarification, Chad paused for a beat and then deemed Leo "smart" and "funny." Chad added with a grin, "and you think I'm a hunk."

Chad grew more serious and stated his admiration for Leo's attempts to be a better person. Chad could relate to how "moving on from the love of your life" was difficult. Leo asked about Abigail. When Chad said no progress had been made, Leo sincerely stated that he hoped Chad would never have to "move on."

Later, Leo sat alone in Horton Town Square and decided to call Gwen. When he mentioned Gwen's anniversary, she seemingly told him to "go screw yourself" and hung up. Leo exhaled and realized he should have followed Chad's advice to "leave well enough alone."

Back at the Spectator , Jack reentered Chad's office. He held up a USB stick and announced that he had the enhanced video of the mystery woman. Chad looked on in anticipation.

Everett Lynch and Bobby Stein take their last breath

Thursday, August 1, 2024

by Hope Campbell

After Stephanie and Jada found Bobby passed out in his Salem Inn room, Stephanie was relieved when Jada announced that Bobby was still breathing. However, Jada reported that his pulse was weak. When Jada found the bottle of pills by his bedside, she worried he had taken too many. Bobby managed to utter that he hadn't taken any before quietly telling her he wasn't Bobby. He was Everett.

Stephanie sat by Everett's side as Jada called an ambulance. She tearfully told him they were calling for help as he told her the last thing he remembered. It was weeks earlier, when Bobby had taken over. "I tried so hard to get back to you. I'm sorry I didn't make it," he said. Stephanie assured him that he had, and she begged him to hang on.

"I love you, Steph. I love you. I never stopped," Everett whispered as Stephanie sobbed. He then closed his eyes. Jada took his pulse before declaring that Everett Lynch and Bobby Stein were both gone. When they looked at his open laptop, they found what they believed was a suicide note. Stephanie refused to believe that Everett would kill himself. "He had hopes and dreams. He wanted to live," she said.

Jada wondered if Bobby was the one who had wanted to die. When Jada read the note in full, she found it was meant for her. The note was also a confessional, claiming Bobby had stabbed Rafe out of jealousy. "I guess I was going down for Rafe eventually, but that's not why I'm doing this. This is because you were never going to take me back," the note read.

"Bobby's" note also noted that the gloves he'd allegedly worn when he'd stabbed Rafe were in a drawer. Jada ran to the drawer and found the gloves as Stephanie looked on in disbelief. The paramedics soon arrived. Stephanie and Jada finished reading the note as the paramedics worked. "I'm sorry to you, to Rafe, to Stephanie, and especially to Everett. He didn't deserve any of this. Maybe we can both be at peace now." Jada read aloud.

Stephanie and Jada embraced in tears as they watched the paramedics place Everett in a body bag and wheel him away. Jada then spotted Everett's phone by the bed and noticed he had dialed 9-1-1 before they'd gotten there. "This doesn't make any sense. Why would Bobby want to kill himself but try to call for help?" Jada asked. They wondered if he'd been Everett when he'd tried calling for help.

In the DiMera offices, Connie sat with her latte while talking to herself. She had taken care of her Bobby problem and could focus on making Gabi and Stefan pay for what she believed they'd done to Li. "Lucky for me, the perfect ammunition fell right in my lap. Wait until Gabi hears her husband slept with Ava Vitali," Connie said.

Just then, Ava walked into the office, so Connie popped into executive assistant mode. Ava wanted to know who Connie had been talking to. Ava said she had heard Connie say her name, and Ava wanted to know why. Connie played dumb and said that she often memorized people's names by repeating them to herself.

Ava seemed suspicious of Connie when Connie started asking too many questions. "Didn't you used to work with Gabi's husband?" Connie cheerfully inquired. Ava wondered if Connie had done research on her, but Connie explained that her head was just full of random facts. Knowing that Gabi was gone for the day, Connie finally left.

Ava wasn't alone for long because Melinda soon arrived. Ava was cold to her as payback for all the times Melinda had tried to put her behind bars, but Melinda wanted to let bygones be bygones, since they were working together. Melinda even told Ava she would forever be grateful to Tripp for marrying her daughter Haley just so Haley could get her Green Card. Ava and Melinda buried the hatchet and agreed to work together amicably.

Melinda brought some information to Ava's attention. She had been going through Connie's new employee file and had noticed something odd. Melinda explained that she had met Connie at Small Bar the year before when Connie had been meeting Li for a blind date. Connie's new employee forms listed Li's old apartment as her address.

Ava tried shrugging it off as a coincidence, but Melinda didn't buy it. She felt something else was going on and explained about the time she'd run into Connie on Valentine's Day. Melinda found it strange that Connie had berated her and blamed her for Li's death but that she'd later apologized. Ava wondered if Connie was just lonely and eccentric, but Melinda found the whole situation suspicious.

At the Bistro, a distraught Gabi learned there had been no change in Rafe's condition, and Stefan comforted her. Gabi was sorry she wasn't focused on Stefan after he had planned such a perfect anniversary celebration. She hoped Rafe knew how much she loved and missed him. Stefan was determined to cheer Gabi and poured them each a glass of Champagne and toasted to Rafe. "May he make a very swift and very complete recovery," Stefan said with optimism. Gabi continued the toast, hoping Abigail would be found alive.

Gabi thanked Stefan for their romantic meal, and he told her that a "good restauranteur" knew what they were doing. That prompted Gabi to question Stefan's choice of work. He said he'd only taken the job at the Bistro because Clyde had needed a front for his drug operation. Gabi took the opportunity to question Stefan about whose idea it had been to fake a romance with Ava as a cover.

"If you faked dating Ava, then you fake cheated on me while I was in prison for real," Gabi pointed out. Stefan covered for himself and told Gabi he had only informed her of his plans with Ava "in the interest of full disclosure." However, if he'd known it would upset her and she'd still be thinking about it, he never would have said a word. Stefan assured Gabi the fake affair had been completely Ava's idea. He'd just gone along with it.

Stefan explained that Ava had even kissed him in front of Chad so their affair would seem authentic. Gabi had had no idea Stefan and Ava had been the least bit physical with one another. Gabi tried to be understanding, but she admitted it wasn't easy. She needed reassurance and wondered if that one kiss was all that had happened between them. Stefan admitted that there had been more than one kiss, and he'd initiated the second one, which took Gabi by surprise. Stefan insisted it had just been for show, and nothing else had happened.

Before Stefan and Gabi could speak further, Connie barged in. Gabi introduced Connie as her new assistant and wondered why Connie was there. Connie had documents from Ava for Gabi to sign. "I assume you know Ava," Connie said to Stefan while Gabi signed the papers. Connie quickly left as Gabi admitted her new assistant was a bit "off kilter." Once alone, Stefan and Gabi resumed their romantic celebration.

In Horton Square, Connie continued talking to herself and wondered when the perfect time would be to tell Gabi all about Stefan and Ava. She then saw the paramedics leave the Salem Inn with Everett's body and waved, saying, "Bye-bye, Bobby."

At the Spectator office, Jack excitedly told Chad he had been able to get the video of the woman who could be Abigail enhanced. He handed the flash drive to Chad so they could watch it together. "Please, God, let it be her," Chad prayed.

Jack and Chad inserted the flash drive into a laptop and saw a clearer image of the blonde woman, but she never turned to face the camera, so Jack and Chad couldn't be sure the woman was Abigail. They watched it again to see if there were any clues in the room. Finally, Chad spotted a billboard outside the window. They zoomed in and saw numbers that were an area code for Poplar Bluff, MO, which was exactly where Clyde was from. Jack and Chad immediately took off for Missouri to see if they could find Abigail.

Steve returns with ominous news

Friday, August 2, 2024

In Kayla's office at the hospital, she left a message on Steve's voicemail. "I'll do you one better, Sweetness," Steve said from the doorway. Kayla hugged her husband hello. "How was Greece? Did you find John? Did he come back with you?" Kayla asked. Steve explained that he had been unable to find John, but he had located Catharina's grave. John had left a note on the grave that read that he did not believe he could ever forgive himself.

"Were you able to talk to him about it?" Kayla asked. "No. And that's the problem. I still don't know where he is," Steve admitted. Steve explained that he had located John's hotel room, but John had not returned to it in days. "There's something else about the note," Steve said. Steve pulled a plastic baggie out of his pocket that held the note, and it had a splash of blood across it.

"[The ISA confirmed] it's a match for John's [blood]," Steve said. Kayla noted that John had been depressed, but Steve said he did not believe that John would harm himself. Steve added that he had checked with local police, and there had been no unidentified bodies. "Thank God for that," Kayla whispered. "I'm leaning toward foul play," Steve said. Kayla asked about Marlena, and Steve admitted he had not told Marlena yet.

"I just kept holding off, hoping I could bring her some good news," Steve said. Steve explained that the ISA was still searching for John, but he had decided to return home in order to update Marlena in person. "She was counting on me to look after John. Now I've let them both down," Steve said. "Stop it. You did everything you could to find him," Kayla said. Steve vowed to track down John after he talked to Marlena.

Paul met up with Marlena at the pub, and she told him that John was still in Greece. "That's too bad. Andrew is wrapping things up with his sister, and I was hoping to see my dad before we left," Paul said. Marlena admitted that she did not know when John would return, but she was relieved that Steve was with him.

"The fact is, I'm actually a little more worried about your brother," Marlena said. Marlena explained that no one had been able to get ahold of Brady, and he had not attended Eric's going-away party. "He didn't come home last night. And it's not the only time that's happened recently," Marlena said. Paul suggested that Brady had spent the night with a new romantic partner. Marlena dismissed the idea, because she believed Brady would have told her about someone new.

"He texted me last night to say that he was going to be sleeping at the office," Marlena said. Paul reasoned aloud that Brady had been busy with a new product launch, but Marlena disagreed. Marlena noted that she was concerned about Brady's reaction to the situation with Theresa. Paul told Marlena that Brady had run off from the wedding, and Brady had told Paul that he was on his way to an A.A. meeting. "So, he's feeling tempted to drink," Marlena said. With a nod, Marlena said she was glad for the meeting but surprised Brady had not called her.

"Has he done that in the past?" Paul asked. Marlena said yes. "Have you noticed any questionable behavior?" Marlena asked. Paul thought about when he had seen Brady with a glass of vodka. After a moment of hesitation, Paul said, "To the best of my knowledge, [Brady] hasn't been drinking." Marlena was relieved. Paul promised to track down Brady and check on him for Marlena.

In Sarah and Xander's apartment, Sarah talked to a friend at the Salem Inn, who confirmed that Fiona had not checked out of her room. After Sarah ended the call, she thought about her conversation with Xander about inviting Fiona to the wedding. Xander returned home, and he informed Sarah that Theresa had pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges. "Wow. Theresa finally did the right thing," Sarah said. "Only because I had the cops breathing down her neck," Xander grumbled. Xander argued that it had only been a matter of time.

"Now, we can put that whole nightmare behind us, and we can focus on the future. Namely, rescheduling our wedding," Sarah said. Sarah said she hoped they could reschedule it before Fiona left town. Xander wrinkled his brow. "Didn't she tell you that she doesn't even think I should be getting married right now?" Xander said. Sarah argued that Fiona had objected to the timing, not to Sarah.

"I should think not. Because you are the best thing that has ever happened to me," Xander said. With a shrug, Sarah guessed that Fiona was worried about her son. "She flew all this way for a wedding, so I think it might be nice to do while she is still in town," Sarah said. Sarah encouraged Xander to talk to his mother. "And why do you assume I want to?" Xander asked. "Because it's the right thing to do," Sarah said. Xander reluctantly agreed, but he said he was not ready to forgive his mother.

"I know. She has to earn back your trust. But I do think she is willing to try, and I hope that you give her that chance, especially because she has cleaned up her act," Sarah said. "You're really going to bat for her, huh?" Xander said. With a shrug, Sarah explained that, as a mother, she understood the need to have a good relationship with one's child. Xander argued that Sarah was a better mother than Fiona but that Sarah had also made a good argument. Xander agreed to visit his mother. "Who knows? Maybe she'll surprise me," Xander said.

At the Salem Inn, Brady groaned as he exited the shower and looked around Fiona's hotel room. "We really went to town, huh?" Brady said. Fiona held an ice pack to her head, and she chuckled. "When I invited you over for a drink, I didn't anticipate it turning into a 24-hour bender," Fiona said. Brady poured them each a glass of water. When Fiona remarked on the amount Brady had imbibed, Brady explained that he had had a bad interaction with his ex-wife.

"The dreadful Theresa woman. The one who tried to swindle my son out of his fortune," Fiona said. "That's the one. Believe it or not, I thought we were on the path to reconcile, and no. Yesterday was the nail in our coffin," Brady said. Brady told Fiona that he did not regret their bender together. "Although, just to be clear, no one can know about this," Fiona said. Brady agreed.

"You mentioned before that you're supposed to be sober," Fiona said. Brady admitted he had been sober for two years. "So, I'm your enabler?" Fiona said with a grin. Brady assured Fiona that was not the case. Brady admitted that the situation with his ex had upset him, and he had not wanted to go to a meeting. "How about you?" Brady asked. Fiona shook her head, and she said she did not like to attend A.A. meetings. "Makes me want to drink more," Fiona joked.

"I sometimes find the meetings to be very useful and helpful. But you got to go in with the right attitude," Brady said. Fiona raised an eyebrow. "I see they've done you a lot of good." Fiona said. Fiona laughed. "You're not wrong. Relapsing was not in my plans. But like I said, no regrets," Brady said. Fiona explained that she considered herself to be a functioning alcoholic. Brady asked why Fiona kept her drinking a secret.

"I have to pretend to be completely sober to have any chance of getting back into [Xander's] good books," Fiona admitted. While Brady dressed, Fiona invited him to stay for dinner. "I don't think it's a good idea," Brady said. Brady hesitantly asked Fiona about whether they had had sex. "Twice you've slept in my bed, and twice nothing untoward has happened. Perhaps the third time's the charm," Fiona said.

Xander knocked on the door, and he asked Fiona to open up. Fiona and Brady agreed that they did not want to talk to Xander, and Brady suggested they wait him out. "Mum? I know you're in there. The front desk told me you haven't left your room all day," Xander said. Xander knocked again. Fiona yelled back at Xander to wait for a moment while she dressed. Fiona hissed at Brady to climb out the bathroom window. "We're three stories up!" Brady whispered back. "You look very fit. I'm sure you'll be fine," Fiona said. With a sigh, Brady gathered his clothes and went into the bathroom.

When Fiona opened the door, Xander looked around the room with suspicion. Fiona said she was surprised to see Xander. "You did ask Sarah to speak to me on your behalf," Xander noted. "Yes, I did. I thought you'd be more receptive to my story if it came from her," Fiona admitted. Xander admitted that he was not sure about the veracity of Fiona's story. "It's just so convenient," Xander said. Xander argued that Fiona's story made it sound like nothing was her fault.

"The point of telling you about what my life has been like these past years, it isn't to absolve myself of my responsibility. I fully admit that I handled things terribly when your father, sorry, when Titus died," Fiona said. Fiona explained that there had been no excuse for having chosen alcohol over her son. "I've cleaned up my act. I truly have," Fiona said. "Meaning that... you're not drinking anymore?" Xander asked. Fiona said she was sober and that she had been attending meetings. Xander was taken aback.

"I want to stay clean and sober for you, my precious son -- so we can finally have a good relationship, so you can be proud of me," Fiona said. Xander's face softened. When Fiona noted that Xander had many reasons to doubt her story, Xander interjected that Fiona had lied about his paternity for his entire life. "You only came forward with the truth once it became clear that I would inherit Victor's fortune," Xander added. "I'm not after your money. All I want is for us to possibly be on good terms again, for us to possibly have a relationship moving forward," Fiona pleaded. Fiona told Xander that she loved him.

"Tell me you can find it in your heart to forgive me?" Fiona asked. Xander opened his mouth to respond, then his eyes looked past Fiona's shoulder. "What the hell is that?" Xander said.

In the town square outside the Salem Inn, a rumpled and limping Brady put his watch on his wrist. "Hey, bro! I was just on my way to find you," Paul said as he walked up behind Brady. Paul asked about the limp, and Brady said he had twisted his ankle and fallen into a bush. "Why are you looking for me?" Brady asked. Paul mentioned his conversation with Marlena. Brady said he had been at the office all night.

"Why wouldn't I be fine?" Brady asked. "I know you've been struggling because of Theresa. So much so that you attempted to drink. If I hadn't shown up," Paul said with a shrug. "No, it was a mistake. I know that it was a mistake. It's cool," Brady said. Paul asked Brady to be honest with him. Brady assured Paul that he was fine.

"I just can't overlook the fact that I found you with a drink in your hand," Paul said. "We've already been over that. Did you tell Marlena?" Brady asked. Paul said no, but he added that he probably should have told Marlena. "I'm fine. It was a mistake. I actually did go to a meeting. But I'm feeling better, with your help," Brady said. Brady noted that he needed to ice his ankle, and he limped away.

Paul called Marlena at the hospital, and he told her that he had spoken to Brady in the square. "How was he?" Marlena asked. "He says he's fine. Yeah, he's just, he says he's been really busy with work the last few days. Which is why he slept in the office. So, there's nothing to worry about," Paul said. Marlena thanked Paul for the update.

In Kayla's office, Steve thought about when Marlena had told him about John's struggle to resist Konstantin's hypnotic suggestions. Marlena entered the office, and she smiled when she saw Steve. "Kayla didn't mention [that you were back] when she called me to come to her office," Marlena said. Steve said that Kayla was with a patient. "Where is [John]?" Marlena asked. "We need to talk," Steve said.

Back at Xander and Sarah's apartment, Sarah excitedly looked through a stack of clothing for Victoria that Maggie had delivered. "I just saw them in the store window, and I couldn't resist. You know how grandmas are. Plus, I thought it would be a good excuse to come over and see our little angel," Maggie said. "You never need an excuse," Sarah said. While Sarah put a kettle on, she mentioned Theresa. "I'm the one who took her to the station," Maggie admitted.

Maggie explained that Theresa had confided her fear that she would not have turned herself in if someone had not driven her to the station. "And there's a part of me that respects the fact that she finally is taking responsibility for her actions," Maggie added. "You always did have a soft spot for her," Sarah noted. Maggie clarified that she was still angry with Theresa, but she felt like Theresa had true remorse for her actions. Sarah stressed that Xander had no interest in forgiving Theresa.

"So, where is that husband-to-be, anyway?" Maggie asked. Sarah told Maggie that she had convinced Xander to visit his mother. After Sarah told Maggie about Fiona's story, she admitted that it had changed her perspective. "I can certainly relate to the grief that Fiona felt at the loss of her husband. Not to mention the battle with her addiction," Maggie said. Sarah held her mother's hand. "It sounds like [Fiona] has done a lot of work on herself, and it would just be a shame if Xander didn't give her another chance," Sarah said.

Maggie asked about the new wedding date, and Sarah said they had not decided yet. "It'll probably just be you and Victoria and hopefully Fiona," Sarah said. With a grin, Sarah noted that Xander had been gone for a while. "That has to be a good sign, right?" Sarah said. Maggie nodded in agreement.

In Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Jack and Chad deboarded a plane. "Clyde could be lying, but if Abigail is alive, it makes sense that he would want to stash her away in his hometown. Now, we just got to figure out her location," Chad said.

After Jack and Chad left the airport, they located a billboard in town that looked like the one in the video of Abigail. "We just have to figure out which one of these buildings has the same vantage point as the video, and we should find her," Chad said. "That may be easier said than done," Jack said. Chad and Jack studied the video and compared it to the area. After they checked out the tallest building, they determined that none of the buildings in the area were tall enough to have the same perspective as the video.

Chad did a search on his phone, and he determined that there was a second billboard for the skating rink. "Gotta be at the wrong place," Chad said. "All right. Let's start looking again," Jack countered.

When Jack and Chad located the second billboard, they entered a building that appeared to be the right height to match the vantage point in the video. After checking all the rooms, Chad found a locked door. Chad knocked. "Is anyone there?" Chad called out. Someone knocked back. Worried that Abigail was in trouble, Chad kicked in the door. "Oh, my God," Chad said as he entered the room.

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