The Radical Act of Being Kind EP 327

Today I want to make a case for something that might seem small but I think is actually one of the most powerful things we can do. And it’s something we get to choose and decide, and it’s we can do anytime anywhere.  Acts of Kindness. I know we’ve all been told, since we were toddlers playing with our siblings or friends, to be kind. It's on coffee mugs and bumper stickers and the walls of elementary school hallways. But stick with me for a second, because what can feel like good manners or being a genuinely good human, which is a good thing of course, isn’t the only thing that’s going on.  Acts of kindness, even tiny ones, have measurable effects on both the giver and the receiver. When you do something kind, your brain releases serotonin and oxytocin. Feel good chemicals. You feel better. And here's the wild part: so does the recipient of your kindness and get this, anyone who witnesses it gets the same impact as well!  Just seeing an act of kindness makes us feel better. Now I know why all those videos of animals helping other animals or people helping a stranger are so popular.  Kindness is literally contagious. But beyond science, here's what I love about kindness: it's always available to you. No matter what's happening. No matter how much money you have, how tired you feel, or how hard your week has been you can always choose to practice kindness, wherever you are. You can hold the door or let someone get in front of you in heavy traffic, or let someone know you’re thinking about them in a text.   These things matter more than we know. We don't always get to see the ripple effects. But they're real. So today, just once, intentionally, I’m going to do something kind for someone. Will you join me? It doesn't have to be grand. It just has to be genuine. Go out there and make someone's day. Starting with your own.