“No act of kindness is an end in itself. One act of kindness leads to another. A single act of kindness can spread roots in all directions, and those roots can sprout and create new ones. Build trees. The greatest thing that kindness does for others is that it makes them kinder themselves.” ~Amelia Earhart
When you’re having a particularly tough day, it’s tempting to hang your head in defeat and conclude that the world is a cruel place where nothing matters. There was such a day last month.
A close friend of mine was diagnosed with a terrible disease. The horses I had been training with for years were sold and relocated across the country with little to no warning. A shady auto mechanic almost convinced me to replace four tires that were in perfect condition.
All this in one day.
But that’s not all that happened that day.
I also went to the bank to use the automatic teller machine. I hadn’t been to that place in months. There was a security guard outside when I arrived. I said hello. It seemed like it recognized that I had been there before. I completed the transaction and started walking to my car. At that time, the security guard said, “When is the next free hug day?”
After all, he remembered me from a few months ago when I was wearing a T-shirt with Elmo and the words “Free Hugs” in big letters on the front. At that time, I completely forgot that I was wearing that shirt. In fact, I was so lost in my thoughts that day that I didn’t notice the security guard standing there until I heard a voice say, “Let me put that shirt on.” That was a few months ago.
A small act of kindness, just a hug a few months ago, had a huge impact. I’ve just been reminded of that.
So when the security guard asked, “When is the next free hug day?” I quickly recovered from my devastated state and cheerfully replied, “Every day,” and gave him a second hug.
“Thank you, I needed that,” he said. And I think I was too.
That is the power of one person. Each of us has within us the potential to positively impact the world.
You don’t have to start a nonprofit or donate all your money to charity (though those things are great) to make a difference. Creating positive change happens with every thought, word, and action we have, no matter how small.
My interaction with the bank security guard was a great reminder that something small and fleeting like a hug, a smile, or a kind word can have a deep and lasting effect.
“There is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a logical, never-ending ripple.” ~Scott Adams
The truth is, you never know how far the ripples of one small act of kindness will spread. Perhaps your first hug with a security guard months ago made you feel much more at ease that day, which influenced how you interacted with your family that night, which influenced how they acted the next day. It may have affected your outlook. , and so on.
Maybe that second hug reminded him that the world is full of friendly people, and that first small gesture is all it takes to break the ice.
“The essence of kindness is that it spreads. If you are kind to others, they will be kind to you today and they will be kind to others tomorrow.” ~Sri Chinmoy
While we can never know how good an act of kindness will be to others, we can experience firsthand the impact it has on us. Research has repeatedly shown that those who perform acts of kindness benefit their mood and outlook just as much, if not more, than those who receive them.
What’s even more surprising is that this dual benefit is not limited to our kind words and deeds. That also applies to our thinking.
That’s correct. Our thoughts are powerful. The quality and quantity of our thoughts affect our physical, mental, and emotional health.
That’s why something like a placebo effect works. If we truly believe that the sugar pill our doctor gives us is a powerful medicine that will cure our illness, our bodies will react according to that belief. Our thoughts directly impact how our bodies function.
Our thoughts are conveyed to others.
Because thoughts, like everything else, are energy, they are transmitted to everyone and everything around us 24 hours a day, without rest. That’s why things like distance healing and prayer groups can promote healing and positive change. The positive effects are even greater when two or more people focus their thoughts in sync.
Even in our daily activities, our thoughts influence others. For example, we may not be able to read the mind of a store clerk who approaches us in a store, but we can sense it on some level.
Our bodies sense the energy fields of others.
In this way, we can quickly understand a person when we meet them for the first time. Even before someone speaks, we get the impression that they are full of energy. Whether their first impression is positive or negative has a lot to do with what they (and we) think.
We live in an interconnected and interdependent universe. My interaction with the bank security guard that day was a great reminder of this.
So while we may often feel alone or distracted in our increasingly busy world, we know that through our thoughts, words, and actions, we can connect with anyone, anywhere. Recognition is empowering. All it takes is intention and care. That’s how strong we are.
We can embody kindness and compassion and set an intention to be a positive force in the world. Then you can pay attention to your thoughts by regularly monitoring them to see if they are aligned with your intention to become the best version of yourself.
About Karin Kaiser
Karin Kaiser is the author of ten books, including Unplug Your Robot: The Secret to Lasting Happiness and the international bestseller Lighten Your Load. She brings greater health and happiness to people around the world by teaching them how to reduce the physical, mental, and emotional toxins that get in their way. Download her free report, “5 Hidden Causes of Almost Everything Going Wrong in Your Life…and What to Do About Them” from her website https://KarinKiser.com.
