Ben’s Bells Project Kindness in Action Speaker Series Comes to Connecticut

From Ben's Bells:

BETHEL, CT - Ben’s Bells Kindness in Action Speaker Series brings to Arizona and Connecticut powerful speakers who are leaders in the Science of Kindness field. Part education, part entertainment, pure inspiration, these events are made possible by the generous support of local businesses and community members. Audience members will enjoy relaxed evenings with experts offering profound insights and lively discussion. All proceeds support Ben’s Bells community programming.

Empathy levels are decreasing in our culture. And yet when elementary-age students successfully learn social and emotional skills—like intentional kindness—it is a greater predictor of success as an adult than academic skills. So can kindness really change us as individuals, and as a culture?

Jeannette Maré, Ben’s Bells Founder and Executive Director, will lead Be Kind Now: It’s Time to Get Serious about Kindness, an in-depth discussion of the challenges and opportunities we encounter in every interaction as we strive to create kinder communities. During this presentation, Jeannette will reflect on her own personal experiences with kindness in the face of devastating grief, will share her work with Ben’s Bells Project, and will discuss the emerging body of research on the science of kindness. Using humor and storytelling, Jeannette Maré will leave the audience inspired and equipped to incorporate the life-changing practice of kindness into their lives.

An excerpt from a 2016 piece written by Jeannette Maré and published in the Arizona Republic:

We need to get serious about kindness.

I know, "kindness" sounds soft, but it is anything but. Kindness skills can be taught and practiced, and when we improve these skills, we improve every aspect of our lives. Kindness skills are vital for children’s academic success, for employee wellness and for community connection.

The 2009 Gallup Arizona Poll revealed that Arizonans highly value community connection but don’t feel connected to one another. Only 12 percent of Arizonans believe that people in their community care about one another. Ouch.

Guess who gets to change this one … Our legislators? Nope, this one’s ours.

Let’s care about each other.

From my experience, kindness is usually not a polarizing issue. But there are some skeptics who question the value of the practice of kindness or who just oppose the idea of being a joiner. I get it. I joke that as the “kindness lady” I have to leave town to be even a little grouchy. But my experience of the positive benefits of intentionally practicing these skills is undeniable. Even in my darkest moments – and I have plenty of them – I know that I have skills to employ that will allow me to experience those dark feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them and without taking them out on others.

Let’s practice kindness together.

Ben’s Bells Kindness in Action Speaker Series

Be Kind Now: It’s Time to Get Serious about Kindness - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

Western Connecticut State University

Ives Concert Hall located in White Hall

181 White Street

Danbury, CT 06810

Tickets

WCSU Students with ID FREE

$5 WCSU Faculty and Staff with ID

$5 All other students

$10 General Public

Purchase online here.

Images via Ben's Bells.