ThePros and Cons of Kindness

Sometimes when life is “lifing,” we have days, moments, or seasons when we don’t feel our very best.

Sometimes it can be a struggle to keep our positive panties on all the time even when we are positive in nature and we feel grateful and blessed and all the things. One thing I can tell you about my husband is that he is an expert at putting the Yay! in other people’s days even if he himself isn’t feeling particularly yayish 24/7.

For example, the other day we were leaving the grocery store and we passed an elderly lady sitting at the door. We have seen this lady in our neighborhood, always by herself, walking slowly, a little bent over, and using a cane. We usually walk to the stores around here but it was rainy that day so we drove, and Kevin stopped to speak to her as the automatic doors opened and the rain started to blow in a little bit. She said she was waiting for the rain to stop because she had walked there. Next thing you know we are giving Hilda a ride home along with my phone number in case she needs anything.

Another time we saw a young man walking with a walker; he looked like he was in pain and in some kind of recovery. Kevin stopped to offer our help but the gentleman declined and said, “I have to learn to walk again.” Kevin asked his name and then said he would pray for him. We did not know if that meant anything to this man in the moment, but I knew if Kevin said it, he meant it.

Several nights later as we were falling asleep, Kevin asked me in the darkness, “hey what was that guy’s name again? With the walker?” I said, “Dustin?” and he replied, “yeah. Thank you.” As he continued holding me tightly, I asked without moving, “are you praying for him?” and he said quietly, “yes.”

And another time recently while we were waiting for a doctor's appointment, we were sitting by a water fountain. The room was filled with quiet expressions. As another patient walked by us, Kevin told him we were trying to get them to put vodka in the fountain. The gentleman clearly did not expect to hear that and after time stood still for one second, he laughed before saying “if we all have to wait here we might as well be able to have a drink” lol … both of their smiles lit up the room which was otherwise fragile with silence and uncertainty.

I say all this to say, we all know that everyone is going through something,

whether we see it or not,

and we all know the importance of extending kindness and compassion ahead of us. I happen to be married to a kindness expert which means this is a real title now ;-) and one that we can all aspire to embody.

Lifting others up costs us nothing and gives so much.

It is also scientifically proven to change our brain in positive ways. Specific neurotransmitters are released, raising our well-being, decreasing pain, reducing inflammation, improving blood pressure, heart health, and more.

There are no cons to kindness. There is literally no downside and there are simply countless ways we rise in unison. Even when we are going through our own stuff, we can remember everyone else is going through their stuff too.

Did you know this is actually at the heart of Yaystack, a company created by Trey Roth?

Follow Yaystack for inspiring moments, encouraging examples, and notice how many opportunities YOU get to be a YAY in someone’s day!

Remember:

Kindness matters,

and so do you.