Domino Effect

A study was done at the University of California, San Diego that found strong evidence that performing a good deed for someone makes the receiver more likely to do something nice for someone else. The study provides strong evidence that cooperative behavior spreads from person to person. It becomes a domino effect, in which one person's kindness spreads first to three people, then to nine people, and then to even more people. They also found, after giving you become a more generous person who'll give to others more frequently. They are also happy to report, no one's immune to the kindness flu. It works whether you are a "Santa" personality or a "Scrooge" personality.
I did my own "pay it forward" in the line at Starbucks a few months ago and the person at the window suddenly became noticeably happier and animated. She told me that once, when someone did this in the drive thru line, it went on for 31 people; people paying for the coffee of the person behind them.
In a time when we are all pinched, for money, time, or even human kindness, maybe we need to take a look at this study and find a way to do our own little good deeds. Who knows the ripple effect you may cause.