Kindness heals the soul!
I love that statement. I love it, because it’s an absolute truth - on many different levels.
Obviously, when someone is kind to you … you feel it. But when you’re the one being kind, there is a different type of ripple effect that positively washes over you.
Don’t believe me? Do something kind for another human being today. It doesn’t have to be anything over-the-top. It doesn’t have to be the final feel-good story on the 5 o’clock news. It doesn’t have to go viral on social media.
Give a genuine compliment.
Hold the door for someone.
Let someone know you appreciate them.
If you want to pick up the tab for a stranger’s lunch, that’s awesome, but it doesn’t have to be that immense.
I’m simply challenging you to do something kind for someone today and see how it impacts you; pay attention to how it transforms your mindset. Does it heal your soul?
Spoiler Alert: Acts of kindness have the ability to throw a wonderfully great wrench into the spokes of life and completely change our mood and mindset. Again, not just for the person receiving the kindness, but also for the person being kind.
But there is one more wrinkle to this truth-filled narrative, and it’s the reason I was inspired to write this blog post.
When you simply witness an act of kindness or even hear about someone being kind, your disposition gets a hit of dopamine, too.
I recently experienced this first-hand during an outing with our Leadership Glen Rose class, which I have the honor of coordinating and leading. During our September session, we focused on tourism. We got the opportunity to travel around our community and see all the wonderfully great attractions that we have to offer visitors.
This random act of kindness - and the crux of this blog post - went down at Dinosaur World.
Here is the story that made my heart smile:
I would like to introduce you to Tessa Ciecko. She is the librarian at Glen Rose Elementary and probably the most spirited member of our leadership class. I’ve known Ms. Ciecko for several years, and she has an infectious energy about her. She is outgoing. She is fun.
But the thing I cherish most about Ms. Cieko is her heart for children. She loves on kiddos hard!
I was reminded of this during our class trip to Dinosaur World.
When we arrived, Ms. Ciecko's inner child came out. She snuck off from the group and found a “Crane Machine.” You know, one of those arcade games with a mechanical claw suspended above a pile of prizes. While everyone else was checking out the gift shop and the life-sized dinosaurs, Ms. Ciecko was determined to nab a plush keepsake.
And she did!
As a handful of us strolled down the walking path back towards the front of the attraction, Ms. Ciecko squealed at the top of her lungs. It was loud. She was excited. The handful of families visiting Dinosaur World that afternoon probably thought she won the lottery.
Nope … just a stuffed dinosaur.
Several classmates, who were watching Ms. Ciecko flex her claw skills, congratulated her with enthusiastic applause and pats on the back. For those not around when she conquered the quarter-guzzling machine, they smiled big when they heard the story. Everyone was genuinely happy for Ms. Ciecko.
She was happy, too. She proudly carried her little stuffed dinosaur around as we finished touring Dinosaur World.
That was until a little boy came up to her, reached for the stuffed animal and said, “Dinosaur!”
The little boy’s mom quickly intervened. “Oh, sweetheart … that’s not your dinosaur …”
Ms. Ciecko didn’t hesitate. She said, “it is now.” Then, she extended her arms, handing the little boy her hard-earned prize.
I wasn’t there to see the little boy’s face, but I have no doubt it lit up.
I also have no doubt that Ms. Ciecko’s soul was on fire, too. Reminder, kindness has that kind of impact on the people who are being kind, too.
I can definitely confirm this … when I heard about this story, my mood and my mindset shifted. I tucked my lips, shook my head and smirked. I whispered to myself, “Of course she did.” Tears filled my eyes. Again, my heart smiled.
Kindness heals the soul.
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