“There’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” –Scott Adams
Earlier this week I was at the grocery store with my son Joey. I always send him to do the returnables while I take care of the shopping.
I was pushing my cart down the aisles at a high rate of speed, eager to get home. I was having a particularly crappy couple of days and wasn’t in the best moods. Joey caught up with me after he finished with the returnables and we were getting ready to head to the checkout line when an older gentleman kept trying to step in front of my cart. The poor man had been trying to get my attention and I nearly ran him over. He looked over at Joey and asked if he belonged with me. I decided to claim him even though I wasn’t sure what he had done.
The gentleman said I just wanted to tell you what a fine young man he is. He explained that the bottle return area was jammed, machines were malfunctioning and people were getting very unhappy. He told me that my son helped everyone, stayed calm, and made them laugh. He thanked me for doing such a fine job of raising him.
I share this not because there’s anything special with the way I raised my son, and if you knew Joey and his story, you would know that he is super friendly and helpful. (He has some limitations from brain cancer as a child and a huge heart)
But this gentleman’s kindness changed my mood and my attitude immediately. It reminded me of the importance of kindness from strangers.
Both to receive it, and give it.
The Ripple Effect
I felt the after- effects from this gentleman’s comments as I drove home from the store. I noticed how calm I felt and was eager to be courteous to fellow drivers.
My mood and frame of mind were completely different when I returned home from the store. With a smile on my face, I shared my shopping encounter with my family and a few of my friends. Several reported back to me that after hearing my story, they not only felt happier but had gone out of their way to express kindness to others.
There is science behind the kindness
According to an article in Cedars Sinai.com, kindness is a powerful tool that helps us with pain, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Waguih William IsHak, a professor at Cedars Sinai, studies have shown that random acts of kindness release Dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that gives us a feeling of euphoria. Being kind can also increase Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps us regulate mood.
Kindness is a connector that brings a sense of community, joy, and peace.
It is also contagious. I hope you will share it with someone today.
