Kindness creates friendships and fights sadness

There was an older student who befriended Nolan Hanson when he first started going to Jasper Elementary School.

As the newest second grader in his class with a background peppered with moves, he was lonely. “I didn’t have any friends, and he would just play with me at recess,” Nolan explained, adding that the student’s kindness also extended to helping him with his math and other schoolwork.

With that core memory reinforced by his mom, Vanessa Kidwell, providing a daily reminder to “be a good human,” the 11-year-old is always on the lookout for moments to share kindness.

So, if Noland sees a fellow student having a rough day, he likes to hit them with some jokes. He starts with the classic, “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

“No one expects that one,” Nolan explained. “They are like, ‘Why are you telling me this joke?'”

It opens up the conversation enough for him to follow up with a few powerhouse dad jokes like, “How did the moon cut his hair?”

“E-clipse it.”

Haha.

It’s not always easy to step into those situations. “It’s kind of awkward,” Nolan said about approaching students like this. “But once you say like two or three words, then you get used to it.”

Plus, Nolan says it’s important because he wants to bring happiness into the world and being kind also makes him happy.

Vanessa can see the fruit of the kindness she is trying to instill in Nolan from the messages she receives from other teachers at Jasper Elementary School.

“I have to brag on Nolan,” one message said. “Your boy brought me to tears, he noticed a little boy was a little short on money for a book and was going to have to put it back. Without hesitation, Nolan stepped up to cover the rest so this little boy could get exactly what he wanted.”

Nolan saw the boy was attempting to purchase a $10 book but only had $7, so he covered the difference with money he had left over.

At home, Nolan ensures his younger brother, Joseph, who has autism, is always included in his group activities with friends, whether playing games online or just spending time together.

Outside of school and family, Nolan has no problem prodding his mom to help others if they see someone in need.

He says that being kind has its rewards. In addition to making him happy, he has made new friends who have reciprocated the kindness he has shown them by helping him out when he has been sad or upset. “But I’m not really looking for a reward for being kind,” Nolan said.

Nolan likes a lot of the same stuff most kids do. He plays Minecraft and Roblox and enjoys reading. Some of his favorite books include the Harry Potter and Wings of Fire series. He really likes going to school to see his friends, and his favorite subject is math. His favorite food is his mom’s spaghetti. He just started doing chores around the house for an allowance–he’s responsible for laundry, making his bed, and taking out the kitchen trash.

Looking forward, Nolan is pondering three career paths. He would like to be a doctor or attorney because he sees that as a way to continue to help others. But he’s also considering being an accountant because he really likes math.

Regardless, he plans on continuing to be kind.

“You should spread kindness around the world because it makes people less sad,” he explained.

It also inspires others to be kind, he adds.

If you know someone who is kind or if you have experienced an act of kindness and would like to share that story with us, use the contact form below to reach out.