THE best thing happened to me today. My heart is full and my smile is very wide.
I recently had the opportunity to attend a careers day at a local school to discuss our family business and the essential skills needed for entering the Big Wide World of employment. As the last session of the day, I noticed the kids seemed overwhelmed and a bit nervous. So, I decided to shift gears and focus on something more engaging.
Instead of sticking to the original script, I began talking about the importance of finding happiness in your career. I emphasized finding something you love, something you’re passionate about. I even shared some golden nuggets from my mentor, Dean Holland, who always reminds us how fabulous we are and equips us with the knowledge and strategies to build confidence.
Then something remarkable happened. I struck up a conversation with a girl who initially seemed very shy. Within a minute, we were chatting enthusiastically about her passions. Her teachers were astounded and later explained that she had been selectively mute all year and hadn’t spoken to anyone. This unexpected breakthrough underscored the profound impact of kindness and genuine connection.
This experience inspired the topic of this blog: Kindness. It’s incredible how a small shift in focus and a bit of encouragement can open doors and transform lives. It must be important as I’ve previously written a blog about it on another occasion I encountered!
The Ripple Effect of Kindness
Ever had one of those days where everything seems to be going wrong? You spill your coffee, miss the bus, and then step into a puddle that you swear wasn’t there a second ago. Yeah, we’ve all been there. But imagine this: you’re trudging along, feeling like a soggy, caffeine-deprived mess, and someone holds the door open for you with a big, genuine smile. Suddenly, your day doesn’t seem so grim anymore.
That’s the magic of kindness! A simple act can create a ripple effect, turning someone’s day (or life) around. It’s like the butterfly effect, but instead of causing hurricanes, it spreads smiles and warm fuzzies. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want more warm fuzzies in their life?
Random Acts of Kindness: Because Planning is Overrated
The best part about kindness? You don’t need a grand plan or a big budget. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Compliment a Stranger: Tell someone you love their shoes, hair, or that they have a killer smile. It takes seconds, but the impact can last all day. And hey, who knows? Maybe they’ll go out and spread the love even further. This week aim to pay someone, anyone a compliment every day. What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll feel good about it and you’ll make someone else feel good too.
- Pay It Forward: Buy a coffee for the person in line behind you. It’s like caffeine karma – what goes around comes around, and you might just make someone’s morning. Like, comment and share a random video that you’ve seen on TikTok, comment on other people’s blogs and be kind.
I am going to start off this trend by gifting someone Vex’s No1 best seller book- Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness
Vex overcame adversity to become a source of hope for thousands of young people and now draws from his personal experience and his intuitive wisdom to inspire you to
- Practice self-care, overcome toxic energy, and prioritize your well-being
- Cultivate positive lifestyle habits, including mindfulness and meditation
- Change your beliefs to invite great opportunities into your life
- Manifest your goals using tried-and-tested techniques
- Overcome fear and flow with the universe
All you have to do is sign up to me newsletter- That’s it! You can do that HERE
- Leave a Note: Drop a lovely note on someone’s desk, your friends car windshield, your partner, send a positive voice note to someone you’ve not spoken to in ages, or even a joke so bad it’s good. Ernie from my affiliate marketing training sends us all dad jokes frequently. I’m not saying they are bad, but they do make me smile. When I see a dad joke now, I can only think of his blog and how much they make me smile- please follow him!
- Lend a Hand: Help someone carry groceries, open a door, or pick up that pen they just dropped. Small actions, big impact.
By the way, if you’re ever looking for the perfect notepaper to leave those lovely messages, check out these adorable sticky notes I found. They come in speech bubble shapes that are sure to brighten anyone’s day. (Yes, that’s an affiliate link – but trust me, they’re worth it!)
The Science-y Bit: Why Kindness Feels So Good
Being kind doesn’t just benefit the receiver; it gives you a hit of the good stuff too. No, not coffee (though that helps). I’m talking about oxytocin, the “love hormone.” Acts of kindness increase levels of oxytocin, which boosts your mood, makes you feel more connected to others, and even has some nifty health benefits, like lowering blood pressure.
Kindness: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
One of the coolest things about kindness is that it’s contagious. When you do something nice for someone, they’re more likely to pay it forward. It’s like a never-ending game of tig, but with more smiles and less running.
And if you’re ever in need of a little extra inspiration, there are some fantastic books out there about kindness and its ripple effects. Check out this heart warming, simple acts of kindness book – it’s a great read and makes for a perfect gift. (Yep, another affiliate link, but come on, books are the best!)
Wrapping It Up: “Go Forth with confidence and Be Kind” My grandma’s favourite sentence- I love that lady
Kindness isn’t just for saints and superheroes; it’s for all of us. And the best part? You don’t need a lot of time, money, or even a plan. Just a heart full of good intentions and a willingness to make someone’s day a little brighter.
Now go out there and spread some kindness like confetti and let me know all about it! Remember, a little kindness goes a long way. Plus, you get to feel like a superhero without having to deal with the hassle of wearing tights or ironing a cape!
Stay kind, stay awesome, and if you need some cute sticky notes or a good book, you know where to click!!
If my blog made you feel good and smile- you can get them every week straight to your e-mail for FREE. CLICK HERE and let me know where to send them. I will be spreading kindness all this week and documenting it on my TikTok, so please head over and see what I get up to!
What a heartwarming post! It’s incredible how a little encouragement and genuine connection can break through barriers! Your actionable suggestions for spreading kindness are both practical and inspiring—whether it’s leaving a positive note or paying it forward with a simple gesture, these small acts can create a significant ripple effect. I have noticed on days when I am in a really good mood and I say hello to strangers or complement people, or let someone go in front of me in line because I can sense they are in a rush, really put’s a smile on their face and makes a big difference. Small acts of kindness have huge impact.
I love your emphasis on oxytocin and how kindness benefits both the giver and the receiver. It’s a powerful reminder that spreading positivity isn’t just altruistic; it’s also good for our own well-being. Your grandma’s wisdom—”Go forth with confidence and be kind”—is a beautiful mantra to live by. Thank you for spreading such an uplifting message!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article on how kindness can be such a powerful force for change. It’s inspiring to see how you’re extending the message of kindness not only through your writing but also through your TikTok videos. Keep spreading positivity and making a difference in people’s lives—it truly matters!
Hi Sarah,
What a heartwarming story! It’s truly nice to hear how a simple shift in focus and a bit of kindness can make such a profound impact. Connecting with that shy student and seeing her open up must have been incredibly rewarding for you! Kindness really does have a ripple effect that can brighten not just someone’s day but their whole outlook on life. It’s inspiring to see how small acts can lead to such meaningful connections and positive changes. Great post! Thanks
Meredith
Meredith Moore recently posted… When to Get a Business License for Your Affiliate Marketing Business
Thanks Meredith. It was such a lovely day, I’m blessed I was able to share it in my blog post.
Hi Sarah I can see why you are smiling so much. The school visit with the young girl’s reaction will last you for a while. It would be nice if you could convince more people throughout the world to follow your examples, but one neighborhood at a time is good as well.
One person at a time…… Thank you for your comment Ken
thoroughly enjoyed reading your latest blog post, Sarah on the transformative power of kindness.
Your story about connecting with the shy student at the careers day was truly heartwarming and reveals the profound impact that genuine kindness and encouragement can have on individuals.
Your approach to discussing career happiness with the students indicates a shift in the focus to finding joy and passion in one’s career and is a valuable lesson that will undoubtedly resonate with many.
The personal story about the girl who opened up to you is a powerful reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a little kindness to make a significant difference in someone’s life.
Your suggestions for simple acts of kindness are instructive and easy to implement.
One of the most profound acts of kindness is giving someone your undivided attention.
Active listening involves being fully present in the conversation, showing empathy, and responding thoughtfully.
This can make the other person feel valued and understood, fostering a deeper connection.
In a professional setting, small acts of kindness that you discuss can significantly impact the overall work environment.
Simple gestures like acknowledging a colleague’s hard work, offering help when someone is overwhelmed, or even just a friendly greeting in the morning can boost morale and create a more positive and productive atmosphere.
In an increasingly digital world, kindness can also be spread online. Leaving positive comments on social media, sharing uplifting content, or simply sending a kind message to someone can brighten their day.
Digital kindness can counteract the negativity often found online and create a more supportive and encouraging digital community.
Integrating kindness into your business core value would have I believe a profound impact on the people that you work with and on behalf of.
When we act with kindness, we not only make a difference in the lives of others but also inspire them to spread kindness further. It’s a beautiful cycle that can lead to widespread positive change.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring experiences and practical tips on how to incorporate more kindness into our daily lives.
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for this heartwarming post! It’s truly inspiring to read about your experience at the careers day and how a small shift in focus towards kindness and genuine connection made such a profound impact, especially on that shy girl. It’s a powerful reminder of how acts of kindness, big or small, can change lives.
Your emphasis on the ripple effect of kindness is so true. It’s incredible how something as simple as holding a door or paying someone a compliment can transform someone’s day and create a chain reaction of positive energy. And the practical ideas you shared for spreading kindness—like leaving notes, lending a hand, and even sharing a good dad joke—make it easy for anyone to start spreading joy in their own way.
I was particularly touched by the story of Vex and his book “Good Vibes, Good Life.” It’s wonderful to see how his journey of overcoming adversity has helped inspire so many. I signed up for your newsletter and can’t wait to see who will receive that uplifting book!
Also, I love the science behind why kindness feels so good. Knowing that being kind not only helps others but also boosts our own well-being is such a motivating factor. It’s truly a win-win!
I’m excited to start spreading kindness and seeing the impact it has. Thank you for this inspiring post and for reminding us all that a little kindness can go a long way. I’ll definitely be following your journey on TikTok and looking forward to more of your uplifting content each week.
Stay kind, stay awesome, and keep spreading those good vibes!
Thank you for such a wonderfully fulfilling post. I am just filled with that warm and fuzzy feeling from all that kindness emanating from your words. What great advice to put kindness out there everyday. And a great thing about it, it doesn’t cost anything.
It costs no money and doesn’t even take much time, and yet we don’t do it as often as we should- Crazy!
Hi Sarah,
Kindness is something so powerful and yet so simple to act on! Your post is very inspiring and reminded me to evaluate myself and the kindness I show. Over the years I’ve continued being kind when I can, but it can become something you just do regularly and forget the impact it has. This has challenged me to consider if my being kind has become mundane tasks, what I can do to change that. Maybe take my kindness up a notch 🙂 Thanks for such a great post!
Denny
It is so simple and yet we don’t do it as often as we should. I’ve tried to step this up myself this week and it’s embarrassingly been a conscious effort. Thank you for your comment
You had me at kindness! Anytime I get the opportunity to hear that word and practice that word I am all in! Our world today is filled with such unkindness that it saddens me and frankly I don’t like to be sad. So, I read your post with anticipation… And then I got to point number three where you discussed leaving a note. I was incredibly humbled and honored that you called me out in such a positive and kind way. Thank you so very much as it completely made my day. So, in thanks here’s a dad joke for you right up your alley:
*Why did the kind bread go to the bakery? Because it wanted to loaf around and share some kindness!
Have a wonderful day, my friend, and thank you for being so kind to me and helping me in my business! You are truly a gem!