KIND DEFINITION:having a benevolent nature and an attitude of goodwill CATEGORIES:identity, interactive, moral SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:benevolent, good-hearted POSSIBLE CAUSES: Growing up in a loving home Sharing a strong sense of kinship with others Having an appreciation for and connectedness with the world and its inhabitants The belief that being kind is the right way to treat others Experiencing euphoria at serving others and wanting to repeat the experience Being influenced by kindness in one’s past Being highly empathetic ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Going out of one’s way to help someone in need Being generous with one’s money, time, and resources Listening intently to others to show interest in what they’re saying Taking action when someone is in need (cooking a meal, sending a card, etc.) Using uplifting and positive words Rallying others to come to someone’s aid Showing kindness even when there is no benefit to oneself Putting the needs of others above one’s own needs Expressing true happiness over someone else’s good news Mourning with those who have suffered loss Responding graciously when unpleasantness occurs Patience Bestowing gifts Wholeheartedly supporting someone’s dream Holding doors open for others Smiling frequently Having a pleasant expression and approachable bearing Making oneself available to others at any hour of the day Befriending the friendless Phrasing things as nicely as possible Going out of one’s way to keep from offending others Building people up rather than tearing them down Being a good listener Proactively helping Brightening someone’s day for no reason Excusing the behavior of others Expressing sadness or anger when seeing others treated unkindly Using peaceful means to resolve conflict Being content with what one has Not sharing one’s opinion if it will hurt someone else Noticing positives and commenting on them (offering compliments, noting nice weather) ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: Looks like raccoons got into Gran’s trash again. I’ll sweep the mess up right away. I may as well do Stan’s lawn while I’m mowing my own. I’ll ask Molly if she needs someone to collect her mail while she’s away. Everyone’s so grumpy at work lately. Brownies should cheer them up. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:eagerness, gratitude, happiness, love, peacefulness POSITIVE ASPECTS:Kind characters are genuine and forthright, drawing people in with their giving natures and positive attitudes. Observant and often great listeners, they provide uplifting words or gestures when others need them most. Many kindhearted people see it as their duty to help when and where they can, even if it requires a sacrifice of some sort. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Kind characters know how to bestow acts of generosity but often grow flustered when kindness is returned to them. They may feel compelled to refuse a gift or repay the kindness, which can leave the giver feeling dissatisfied. They also commonly decline help or won’t admit when it’s needed, denying others the chance to experience the feel-good rush that comes from giving. Because they are givers and not takers, kind characters can be easily manipulated and abused by those who would take advantage of them. EXAMPLE FROM LITERATURE:Peeta, the male tribute from District Twelve inThe Hunger Games, shows kindness and compassion for others, even when everyone is out for themselves. As a child, he gives burnt bread to a starving Katniss and suffers a beating for it. In the Capitol, Peeta does everything in his power to make Katniss appear likable to benefactors, then continues to protect her as she is hunted by other tributes throughout the course of the games.Other Examples from Literature and Film:Wendy Beamish (St. Elmo’s Fire), Fezzik (The Princess Bride) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:ambitious, dishonest, independent, self-centered, wounded CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE KIND CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Living in an environment where kindness is rare and cause for suspicion PLOTLINE: Facing a situation where one’s motives are questioned PLOTLINE: Teaming up with someone who openly takes advantage of one’s kindness PLOTLINE: Dealing with selfish people PLOTLINE: Being kind to someone who only seems to make trouble PLOTLINE: Finding out that one’s kindness is not wanted or needed