Below you will find a list of resources describing the drivers behind the experiments of KindSpring. This includes the latest research within each topic area, from the subjects of the challenges themselves (eg, why kindness?) to the structure of the challenge (eg, why 21 days?). It also includes links to beautiful stories that speak to what kind of ripples can happen inside ourselves and in our communities through these practices. We look forward to practicing with you!

The Gist
If you only want the basics of why this program works, just check out these links:

• Benefits of Happiness in Organizations
• How Small Changes Lead to Big Shifts
• Science of Generosity
• Kindness Boomerang

And for those who want to take a deeper dive, below is the whole enchilada.

Kindness as a Driver For Change

• Is Giving the Secret to Getting Ahead?
• Can we Teach Kindness?
• Can Kindness Movements Make a Difference?
• Small Kindness Benefits Giver, Receiver and Whole Organization

Pay It Forward

• Paying More When Paying For Others
• Pay Forward Pays Off
• Research: Generosity is Contagious
• M'aam Your Burger Has Been Paid For
• Science of Paying It Forward
• Starbucks: Come Together

Kindness and Happiness

• Generalized Reciprocity and Limits of Generosity
• The Happiness Dividend
• Shawn Achor: How to Be Happier
• Psychology of Kindness in Workplace
• Compassion in Business Pays Off

Inspirations of Kindness (Videos)

• Kindness Boomerang
• At a Coffee Shop in Loveland
• More Than 50 Pay Forward in Detroit
• 378 Pay Forward in Florida
• KindSpring.org: Lots of Stories :)
• ServiceSpace: More Stories :)
• Be the Change
• Being Kind: Music Video
• Be Selfish, Be Generous
• Lifetime of Favors
• Me to We: Generosity Everyday
• Bankrupt, and yet Wealthy
• Students Stepping up the Kindness
• Power of One
• Joy of Giving
• Giving is the Best Communication

Value of Mindfulness

• Mindful Multitasking
• Mindfulness: Getting Its Share of Attention
• Power of Concentration
• Scale of Day to Day Experiences
• Can 'mindful' meditation increase profits?
• To Make a Killing on Wallstreet, Start Meditating

Power of Gratitude

• Happiness Can Boost Employee Productivity by 10%
• Research: Gratitude at Work
• What Does a Grateful Organization Look Like?
• Gratitude's Effect on Neural Activity

The Value of Smiles

• Hidden Power of Smiling
• Surprising Science of Smiles
• Simply Smiling Can Actually Reduce Stress

Tiny Habits for Big Change

• Forget Big Change, Start with a Tiny Habit
• Tour de France Coach on 1% Change
• Strong Effects of Simple Plans
• Goals Attainment and Personality Integration
• Neuroscience of Habits

Reflection as a Driver for Creating Intrinsic Motivation

• Dan Pink: Puzzle of Motivation
• Can Habits Be Induced through Reflection?
• Rewire Your Brain To Your Benefit
• Why You Hate Work

21 Days as a Timeline for Shift in Perception and Behavior

• 21-Day Challenge: Five Ways to Be More Positive
• Reprogramming Your Brain to Be Happier
• The Happiness Advantage
• The Happiness Dividend

Value of Groups in Building Habits

• How to Make New Behaviors Last
• Healthy Habits Contagious Among Friends

What is Gift Economy as a Model? (this program is offered as gift)

• When You Realize Your Job is Toxic
• Wikipedia: Gift Economy
• Reclaiming Gift Culture
• Radical Generosity
• The Gift Economy

Other Resources

• Creating a Culture of Growth
• Eight Forms of Wealth
• Regenerative Wealth as a Path to Societal Sustainability
• Personal Development is Most Important for Millenials
• Most People are Unhappy at Work Nowadays
• Near Half High School Students Unhappy
• How Systems Change with Emergence
• Role of Personal Practices in Systems Change

Got any other suggestions? We'd love to hear from you. And we hope to see you in a future 21-day challenge.