As the meltdown year of 2008 clicked over to the uncertain year of 2009, many people sung the new year in with the timeless Scottish song “Auld Lang Syne.” And many may have lingered a little longer than usual on that poignant line in the chorus—the one that says “We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” Writing about new year’s resolutions, USA Today highlighted people’s intention to be kinder in the coming year, quoting Joseph Grenny, co-author of Influencer: The Power to Change Anything: “When times are tough, usually people focus on survival needs, so the fact that people are worrying about survival while simultaneously worrying about others is a great vote of hope for humanity.”