ROHAN GUNATILLAKE: Hi listeners, it’s Rohan. A couple of weeks ago, we asked you to send us your thoughts and stories about kindness, in honor of World Kindness Day. We received many beautiful messages, and we’re so grateful for our thoughtful community of listeners. On today’s episode, we’ve invited the team that makes the podcast to share these listener messages aloud. This is an invitation to reflect on the kindness in all our lives, and we hope, inspiration to create even more kind moments in our day to day. If you missed the call for kindness the first time around, I encourage you to check out the meditation called ‘Small acts of kindness for ourselves and others’, that we released on November 9th.
DOROTHY ABRAHAMS: This reflection on kindness is from Pamela E.
Thank you once again for creating an episode that continues to enrich my soul. I loved how there was a focus on what small things I could do towards someone, while reflecting back on me. I am important also. Just today, I felt a nudge to call a friend. I’m so glad I did this simple act of kindness.
ALEX MORRIS: This reflection on kindness is from Dan C.
I didn’t really realize how far from kindness I had become until recently, when I was given a fresh outlook from a colleague at a new job. I went in with my own preconceived notions and was given a new perspective after a simple conversation. It caused a noticeable change after only a few months. It also caused me to refocus my ‘eating.’ See, if we are what we eat, we can simply exchange the word ‘eat’ for ‘consume’ and examine life differently. I became more intentional in the media I consumed, aiming to become a better version of my flawed self. I’ve started making a lot of time in the day for affirmations and love songs. This way I can tell that I’m ‘eating’ better things and becoming better for it.
ANYA PROFUMO: This reflection on kindness is from Sharon in New Orleans.
Yesterday, I sat with 6 friends at lunch, sharing stories and laughter. We have been friends for over 60 years, most of us in our 80s. In our privileged circle, I am sensitive to conversations of exclusion. My instinct is to turn stories of privilege and exclusion around, with a note of kindness. Yesterday, I felt feeble in my attempt to do so. Today, as I listened to Rohan, it occurred to me that my attempts in the future will be more mindful, kind, and focused. Thanks, Rohan, for sharing your thoughts on making our world a kinder place. This is especially important, even in the small circle where I may have some influence bringing peace, mindfulness, and love, through simple conversation and example. Much love and gratitude, Granny Lambert in New Orleans ⚜️
RYAN HOLLADAY: This reflection on kindness is from Todd M.
I carry a pocket sized pack-of-two Milano cookies wherever I go…almost. You will always find a box is in my car. My goal is to give them away to the people that I meet. When I hand them over, I say something silly like: “Here is my business card… it’s edible.”
P. S. Yes, my last name is Milano. No, I don’t own the company that makes the cookies. But they sure are good.
JULIETTE LUINI: This reflection on kindness is from Rachel in London.
I heard your call out for kindness stories, and wanted to share with you the small act of kindness I do all the time that has more of an impact than most of us think.
For me, I simply love to smile at people when I walk past them, because I see how this small act brightens their day. I live in London, so the busy city makes it impossible to smile at everyone, plus I would look like a crazy lady. But whenever I catch someone’s eye, I always smile. I can see in people’s reactions that they are often shocked or surprised by me smiling at them, then I see a wave of happiness that I know makes a small positive impact. I read this beautiful quote in the brilliant book, 12 Birds to Save Your Life: Nature’s Lessons on Happiness by Charlie Corbett: ‘A smile costs nothing, but gives much. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.’ This quote could not be more true and just shows that we don’t always need extravagant gestures to make a difference to someone’s day, or even their life.
CHINEME EZEKWENNA: This reflection on kindness is from Emma in the south of Scotland.
Kindness is one of my core values, and I have been trying more recently to keep this in mind. I have been able to make kindness visible in my place of work. I work in a hospital laboratory, so not near patients, but the staff work hard and we are rarely noticed. Recently, I had noticed that the staff were nipping each other more, were grumbling, and the atmosphere felt uneasy. I was able to make kindness space, with some small phrases and space to share accomplishments and podcast recommendations. This felt like a small step in the right direction.
BRANDON KLEIN: This reflection on kindness is from Mike in Huntsville, Alabama.
As a veteran high school theater teacher for almost 40 years, I have seen the miraculous effects of simple, everyday kindness on people’s lives. When I called roll everyday, I’d say something positive about that student, such as “you have the most amazing smile” or “with your voice you should be doing podcasts!”, etc. I loved the challenge of coming up with something kind for 150 students everyday — not going to lie, some days were better than others — and to this day, I still have former students remind me how those affirmations made them feel. And that is the biggest paycheck I’ll ever receive.
GUNATILLAKE: What a fantastic collection of stories, ideas, and musings on cultivating this thing called kindness. Again, thank you to all who wrote in. We read every message and keep them close to our hearts. If you enjoyed this writing prompt, I encourage you to check out our newsletter for more inspiration and connection to the Meditative Story community. Each week, our team sends out a new prompt for reflection and journaling. You can sign up for free at meditative story dot com forward slash newsletter. That’s meditative story dot com forward slash newsletter. Thank you for all the kindness you show us and that you show others. Be well.
