The Kindness of Capturing the Big Moment

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."
― John Bunyan

A dear friend of mine (a move-a-body friend if ever there was one) went to New York to celebrate his 50th birthday.  Last Saturday, he and several college buddies went to a bar that they frequented in their youth.  One of his female friends was accompanied by her boyfriend, who -- in a complete surprise move -- got down on one knee and proposed.  This only added to the celebration.  There was a group of guys at the table next to them cheering during the proposal and wondering what celebration would be next.  (One of them asked if there would be a baby shower, too.)   As that group was leaving, one of them approached my friend's table.  He said that he had taken some good photographs of the proposal and would be happy to send them via e-mail.  A lovely kindness from a stranger.

The Kindness in a Question

"Questions are like gifts.  It's the thought behind them that the receiver feels.  Love is specific.  The more attention and time you give to your questions, the more beautiful the answers become."
― Glennon Melton

Not all questions are kind -- as most of us know.  But there can be great kindness in a question.  When we remember something that is important to the people about whom we care and ask them about it, we let them know that we care about them.

The quote from Glennon Melton is from an article that she wrote for The Huffington Post earlier this year, "The Questions That Will Save Your Relationships."  In the article, she writes about the beauty of questions -- especially specific ones -- and how they can help us get closer to the people we love.

The Kindness of "Have a Happy Day"

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
― Abraham Lincoln

I like to wish people a good day or a nice day, but this morning, a woman I did not know in an elevator wished me a "happy" day.  And it got me thinking... what would it look like to have a happy day?  To approach everything -- most things -- with a happy attitude -- even the challenges?  As I thought about it, it seemed that putting a smile on my face would be a good first step, which reminded me of a woman I wrote about a while back who signs her e-mails "smiles."  None of these approaches is a quick fix, but I do think they can serve as reminders to us, as habits to cultivate.  And just as with laughter yoga, once you begin feigning laughter, real laughter comes.  I suspect (and I believe the happiness literature supports) that if we make an effort to be happy, which probably necessitates some gratitude, we can raise our happiness quotient.  I am willing to give it a try.  My attempt may not last more than a couple of hours, but I appreciate this woman's putting the notion in my head nonetheless.  Have a happy day J!

Kindness in a Voice

"My mother had a beautiful, soothing voice that made me melt."
―Gloria Estefan

Each in different parts of the country, two friends from college were talking over the weekend, sharing the challenges of everyday life.  One of them told the other, "I just had to hear your voice."  After they hung up, the other friend realized how much comfort she, too, found in her friend's voice.

When people are meaningful in our lives, we long to hear the kindness in their voices.  Across distance and years, just hearing a certain voice can make us smile and warm our hearts.  I still remember -- and sometimes can even hear -- the voices of those whom I love and who are no longer here.

The Kindness of Peace of Mind

"Work and live to serve others, to leave the world a little better than you found it and garner for yourself as much peace of mind as you can.  This is happiness."
―  David Sarnoff

Two mothers I know got together last week.  As their children played together, they coordinated schedules because one was going out of town for a few days.  "We can never both be gone at the same time," the mother who was leaving always says.  Later that day, she e-mailed her friend, "Thank you for the gift of peace of mind. I can leave tomorrow knowing that you are only a phone call away."

Peace of mind is an incredible thing.  Many of us make all kinds of arrangements trying to provide it for ourselves, financially, professionally...  But despite our best laid plans, we frequently need others.  And there is a special comfort in knowing that we can count on certain people to be there for us and to share the kindness of peace of mind.

Kindness and Inspiration

"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."
―Joseph Campbell

A woman I know received a call today from her mother.  "You inspired me to do an act of kindness," her mother said.  The mother went on to recount an experience that she had at a shopping mall.  As the mother was leaving in a hurry to an important appointment -- getting her hair done, an older woman with a child approached her and asked her for directions to a pediatrician's office.  When the mother told the older woman that it was on the other side of the mall, the older woman sighed at the distance.  Thinking about what her daughter might do, the mother asked the woman if she wanted her to drive them to the doctor's office -- even though she had never before invited a stranger into her car.  The older woman agreed and the mother drove her and the child to the pediatrician's office.  Although the mother arrived a few minutes late to her appointment, her hairdresser was running late and did not give her a hard time.

The Kindness of Imparting Knowledge

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return."
― Leonardo da Vinci

Several years ago (ok, decades), I had the amazing fortune of studying in Florence, Italy -- a truly idyllic experience.  Thanks to a terrific art history professor, I fell in love with Italian Renaissance painting and sculpture.  Last year, thanks to Google, I found her teaching at one of the ivy league universities here in the United States. 

Though I was not sure that my former art history professor would remember me, I wrote to let her know what an impact she had made on me, and how I still remembered the paintings and her vivid descriptions.  She wrote back right away to say that it was nice to hear and that perhaps my children would share my enthusiasm for the Renaissance.  She shared that another one of her students in Florence now had a daughter taking an art history course.  She closed by saying:  "It's a wonderful thing to see how those magical times, now long ago, live in new ways."

This weekend, I walked through the National Gallery, drawn as always to the Italian Renaissance works.  To my great surprise and thrill, one of my children wanted to see the Italian Renaissance paintings so much that she was not happy when I insisted on taking a tour before.  After the tour, as I walked with my daughter among the Italian Renaissance paintings, I pointed out the colors and the figures in much the same way that my professor had decades earlier.

I wrote to my professor to tell her about the experience at the museum with my daughter.  She wrote back:  "I was just thinking this morning how we don’t know anything that we don’t remember and that in a sense memory is knowledge and that I was glad I’d always insisted that people memorize the works they studied so they’d always have them.  And there you are – enjoying the paintings you still have all these years later.  I’m so glad!"

Rooted in her great love for the art and in her wisdom, my art history professor gave me an incredible gift years ago, one that I am trying to impart to my children.  And so the kindness that she shared during a magical time lives on in a new way.

More Kindness from Hubert

"A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all."
― Michael LeBoeuf

A few days ago, I wrote about the kindness of a young man named Hubert at a department store.  Since then, I have had two more encounters with Hubert.  I had asked him to hold several items for me, which I asked my mother to pick up.  On Friday, he called me to ask if I had gotten them because he had left them at the counter and they were not there when he returned from lunch.  Earlier today, I received another call from Hubert to tell me that some alterations I had ordered were complete.  I don't think I have ever seen that type of kindness and outstanding customer service.

The Kindness of Donuts for a Veteran

"Donuts.  Is there anything they can't do?"
― Matt Groening

A woman I know sees a veteran on a certain street corner most days of the week.  Dressed in a camouflage uniform, he walks by cars with a cup for money.  Although this woman is not sure if he represents an organization, she used to give him some money every now and then.  One day, she was eating a sandwich and he asked her what kind of sandwich she was eating.  Realizing that he was hungry, she gave him the other half and she now tries to have with her some food or a gift card to a fast food restaurant for him.  On a recent afternoon, after she asked him if he wanted half of a turkey sandwich (he did), he asked her if she had anything sweet.  "Do you have any donuts in there?"  She didn't, but she gave him several Oreos from a pack that she was taking to one of her children's schools.  The next day, she brought him a box of donuts.  She figured that while she couldn't solve his big problems, she could certainly indulge a craving.

Kindness in a Ride

"Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live."
-- Pete Seeger

We recently were visiting in another city and friends invited us to their home for dinner.  Our hotel was about half an hour from their home, but my friend insisted that her husband pick us up and take us to their house.  I accepted and thanked her, and said that we would take a cab back after dinner.  The husband ended up taking us back to our hotel after dinner.  He was very good-natured about spending two hours of his Saturday driving us back and forth, and was a terrific conversationalist during our rides.  It was a very kind thing for him to do and one that made us feel much more at home than if we had taken a cab.

Easter Kindness

"Where we love is home -- home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes

We were away this year for Easter and so we told our children that we would celebrate when we returned home.  I felt a little badly that they would not have their Easter treats, but...  Enter one of my college roommates.  When she picked us up at the airport, there were several beautiful bakery boxes tied with Easter-colored ribbons in the back seat of her car -- one for each of my children.  Inside were the most delicious Easter goodies I have ever tasted.  And today, Easter Sunday, she welcomed my family to her home for an Easter egg hunt and brunch.  My children had a wonderful time and left with bags of Easter goodies. We might not have been home, but my very special friend who is truly more like a sister made us feel right at home.

Kindness, Connection and Reaching Out

"In nature, we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it."
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The other day I read that two in three Americans prefer to err on the side of caution when dealing with other people.  This is an increase from 1972 when the number was about half.  Why are we having a harder time connecting with each other?

These statistics reminded me of something that one of the Kindness Muses shared as her guiding principle:  "When in doubt, reach out."  Kindness helps us to establish connection with each other, which is the first step toward trust and relationship.

The Kindness of Making Others Feel Good

"I believe that love and laughter can only happen when one person takes the time to think about what would cause the other person to feel good."
-- Yakov Smirnoff

My husband and I have a nephew who has grown into a very nice young man.  Bright and funny, he has a gift for making others feel good.

I was reminded of this recently when we had dinner with him and his wife.  Our nephew lets us know how happy he is to be with us.  And he always leaves you feeling a little better than before.

Customer Service, Kindness and a Young Man Named Hubert

"Service is not something you do.  It is something you are."
― Stella Payton

I made a quick trip to one of my favorite department stores tonight while two of my children were in music class, just trying to squeeze in one more errand.  The department store was busier than usual given the Easter holiday.  As I tried to purchase what I needed, I mentioned to one of the young salesmen that I needed to leave by a certain time.  A little while later as I was waiting for a shoe salesman, this very nice young man -- Hubert -- came to ask if I was waiting for something.  I explained that the shoe salesman was looking for some shoes.  "I know you have to leave by 6:30, so let me see what's going on," he said.  He apparently encouraged his colleague to move a little faster.  A few minutes later, as another one of his colleagues was trying to ring me up, Hubert again came to the rescue and helped his colleague finish the sale.  Once we were done, Hubert apologized for the delay.

Most of the time, customer service seems a thing of the past, but in the midst of a busy evening, a young man named Hubert did his best to deliver service and kindness.

Unexpected Kindness During the Witching Hours

"Kind words are a creative force, a power that concurs in the building up of all that is good, and energy that showers blessings upon the world."
― Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik

One of the great things about extending kindness to someone is that you have no idea how badly that person may need your kindness.  And, as life would have it, it seems that kindness touches people precisely when they most need it.

A woman I know usually has perfectly darling children (maybe not perfectly darling, but darling enough).  However, they are at those pre-teen and teenage ages when sometimes things get said that are a bit more than moms want to handle.  And then there is the proverbial witching hour -- the time just after school when so much to be done intersects with tired children and cranky mommies.  As this woman was dealing with that, she received an unexpected text from a college roommate telling her that she would pick her up from the airport when she arrived in the city where the roommate lives.  And, of course, the roommate -- in her characteristic way -- made it sound as though it was no big deal.

The offered airport pick-up was truly gracious and kind, but the biggest kindness was a little love sent via text in the midst of the witching hour.

The Kindness of Childhood Friends

"There is something about childhood friends that you just can't replace."
―Lisa Whelchel

Today is the birthday of one of my oldest and dearest friends.  She definitely does not like the oldest part, but we have known each other for more than four decades ― although I am not allowed to mention that. 

But what I can say is that there is great kindness in childhood friendships that endure long after our childhoods are gone.  Those friendships help us to keep important memories alive.  Those friends remember parents gone too soon as well as hairstyles and boyfriends we'd sooner forget.  They remember who we were and how we became who we are.  These are the friends who are at our side during marriages and births and children's operations and the loss of our loved friends.  They love us and that love extends to our children and ― dare I go there ― to our grandchildren. 

No matter where my friend is on my birthday, she finds me.  One year, a fax from Geneva brought me birthday greetings.  And I find her on her birthday.  These days, she is in California.  Today, as I passed the phone to my children so they could felicitate her, I was touched by their telling her how much they missed her and that they loved her ― none of it prompted by me.  Despite her travels and living in other cities, she has made it a priority to share enough experiences with them that she is a special person in their lives.

Those childhood friendships remind me of the security blanket I used to take with me to sleep-away camp when I was a child.  Like the blanket, these special friendships represent something in which I find great comfort.  There is a kindness in their understanding and love of both the earlier version of me as well as who I've become.

The Kindness of Saving Each Other

"Remember this.  Hold on to this.  This is the only perfection there is, the perfection of helping others. The is the only thing we can do that has any lasting meaning.  This is why we're here.  To make each other feel safe."
― Andre Agassi

Motherhood is an amazing journey and not without its challenges.  Fortunately, most of us have help along the way -- husbands, parents, friends, other mothers.  I am blessed to have another mother in my life who is a huge help.  We think of ourselves as co-mothers of sorts to our joint brood.  We check in nearly every day before school pick-up to see who is going to make it on time to which school and then we coordinate.  Sometimes, one of us is running behind and then the other steps in.  I look forward to helping her out whenever I can as I always feel in her debt. 

Today I was heading toward the schools early (a minor miracle), so when she called and said she needed help, I was happy to step in.  "You saved me," she texted a little later.  We save each other. 

Major Kindness

"Kindness and good nature unite men more effectually and with greater strength than any agreements whatsoever, since thereby the engagements of men's hearts become stronger than the bond and obligation of words."
― Thomas More

Every so often, there are days that have been mysteriously chosen as dates for multiple events.  And as I received notice of one of my children's music recitals, I realized that it was on one of those days.  With three events scheduled before 12 noon, I was not sure how I would make it.  I contacted the music teacher who said that she would have my child play first, but I still wasn't sure that would work.  So... off I wrote to my steadfast friend, who was travelling abroad as she sometimes does for business.  I titled the e-mail "Major Favor Time."  In it, I asked her if she could pick me up at the second event at a precise time, drive relatively quickly to the other event and then drop me off while she parked.  I figured that not having to drive and park would be my best bet in terms of being able to hear my child play and then make it to a business event.  My friend's e-mail response was simple:  "Of course.  Done."  There is no doubt in my mind that she will be there at the appointed time ready to help.  Simple, reliable -- and yes, major -- kindness.  I feel very blessed indeed. 

The Kindness of the Dentist Godmother

"Goodness is about character -- integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like.  More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people."
― Dennis Prager

I live in a constant state of appreciation for my friends and my children's godparents are a very special group among them.  Their constant generosity and kindness is a great blessing.

We recently called on the kindness of the Dentist Godmother.  It was a Friday night and my children were roughhousing -- oops, I meant playing.  The next thing I knew a tooth (thankfully, a baby tooth) had come out.  As I looked at the bleeding gum, I worried that a permanent tooth might have been affected, too.  I immediately called the Dentist Godmother.  She is frequently away on weekends, but luckily for us, she was still in town.  Although she was at her parents' home, she told us to go over and she would take a look.  With four children in tow, I arrived to what must have been an otherwise peaceful evening.  She took an expert look at the teeth and gum in question, and said all was fine.  The children took over the house -- gone was the quiet.  And we ended up having a lovely visit that would not have happened otherwise.  I was fortunate to spend time talking to her father, who unbeknownst to me knew much about my late father's life -- a completely unexpected bonus. 

The Kindness of Being More Expressive...

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
― William Arthur Ward

Recently, I was in my favorite stationery store talking to a store employee whom I can best call a stationery and invitation advisor.  Mari is incredibly knowledgeable about etiquette and stationery.  With common sense and good taste to boot, she is invaluable when one is deciding on -- or agonizing over -- stationery or Christmas cards or First Communion remembrance cards. (Not that I would know anyone who does that.)

On my most recent visit, I questioned messages on some of the thank you cards.  One of the most traditional stationery companies was selling cards with effusive phrases like "You're the best" printed across the front.  I asked her whether she thought that some of this was over the top.  And she shared this pearl of wisdom:  "We are so expressive with our anger.  I think we need to be more expressive with our thanks." 

The Kindness of Managing Change Gracefully

"May we each tune into the appropriate changes for ourselves, and cultivate ways to make them happen mindfully and gracefully."
― Christy Nones

The quote above is from one of my yoga teachers who is eight months pregnant.  It resonated with me because I know that we all grapple with change every day -- from desired change to unwelcome, difficult change.  There is kindness in accepting or even welcoming change when possible.  I know that positive change can intimidate us some times.  And, of course, difficult change is very challenging.  But when we open our hearts to change, when we welcome the unknown possibilities, we make ourselves available to new opportunities. 

This quote also reminded me of a phrase -- and concept -- that I love:  "managing gracefully," which I first read in a Sylvia Boorstein book.  It is something that I aim for every day.  Some days (ok, most days) it is only aspirational, but it in viewing it as a goal, I get much closer than if it weren't front and center.  Christy's quote made me wonder how I can cultivate ways to manage change more gracefully.

Kindness from the Other Side of the World

"No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth."
― Robert Southey

Earlier this week, I needed some advice from my steadfast friend.  But she was on the other side of the world in Southeast Asia.  Given that it was early afternoon in my time zone, I figured it must be the middle of the night in hers.  Hoping that I was wrong, I Googled, "What time is it in Kuala Lumpur now?"  I was right -- it was just past 1 a.m.  Obviously, I couldn't reach out.  Less than an hour later, I received a text from her.  "Can u talk?" I texted back.  Yes, came the reply.  It was 2 a.m. in her part of the world, but you would never have known it.  We talked.  She gave me her perspective, which she has been sharing for three decades.  When I asked her whether she was going to sleep before her morning meetings, she replied, "Oh, I'll rest a little" with less enthusiasm than she shows over a Saturday afternoon nap.  It was as if it was the middle of the day and she had all the time in the world for her friend, whom she good-naturedly ribs about thinking too much.

One of the definitions of steadfast in the dictionary includes "a sureness and continuousness that may be depended upon."  Even from the other side of the world.

The Kindness of Enjoying Where You Are

"I travel light.  I think the most important thing is to be in a good mood and enjoy life, wherever you are."
― Diane von Furstenberg

The other day, I took a long walk along the beach.  I marveled at the natural beauty all around me -- the ocean, the palm trees, the peacock in full bloom...  I don't walk along the beach as often as I'd like.  I somehow seem to forget how much I enjoy it and so I let things that don't matter much get in the way of something that is important to me.  As I walked, I thought about how kind we can be to ourselves by enjoying where we are.  That might mean taking in natural beauty or enjoying the relationships that we have or simply appreciating our stage in life.

The Kindness of Answering Prayers

"Your friend is your needs answered."
― Khalil Gibran

Last week, I was rushing to pick up one of my children, and both realizing that I would not make it on time and wondering what my options were.  At that moment, my dear mom friend texted me to say that she was at that daughter's school.  "Do you need me?" she asked via text.  Oh my goodness!  I immediately called her:  "You answered my prayers before I could even say them!"

I have a another good friend who is always there for me.  On one occasion as he once again appeared when he was most needed, I exclaimed, "You are the answer to my prayers!"  We still joke about my characterization.  He says he has been called many things in his life, but never that.

We pray for what we think we most need.  Sometimes, our prayers are pleas for help; sometimes, they are yearnings of the heart.  There is true kindness -- and friendship -- in being the answer to someone's prayers.

The Kindness of My Grandmother

"My grandmother was amazing.  She completely believed in me and was very encouraging.  She would go to the supermarket or the butcher or wherever and tell people, 'My grandson is going to be the next Calvin Klein.'"
― Marc Jacobs

My grandmother would have been 102 today.  There has never been a time in my life when April 6th has not been an important date.  And it continues to be.  I now have a niece born on that day as well as a former colleague, one of my best friends and another friend's daughter.  I am glad to continue the celebration.

Although my grandmother died 15 years ago, I continue to celebrate her birthday.  Sometimes, my celebration is about a Mass said in her honor.  Sometimes, it involves a cake.  On what would have been her 100th birthday, I bought a cake, put the numbers 1-0-0 on it and sang Happy Birthday to her with my children.  I tell them about her.  I share her sayings, her wisdom -- and hopefully her kindness.

It is not overstating things to say that my grandmother adored me.  She lived for her grandchildren and made us feel that we were incredibly special.  She listened to me -- always.  She was very attentive to all of my needs.  She and my grandfather were the first ones to arrive on Visiting Sunday when we were at sleep-away camp.  My childhood friends remember making chocolate chip cookies during sleepovers at my grandmother's house.  Even friends from adulthood remember my grandmother as a source of great love and kindness. 

When I see grandmothers who are there for their grandchildren, I think of my grandmother.  I know that some grandmothers worry about whether they are making a difference in the sometimes complicated lives of their grandchildren -- particularly when they need to step in for parents who are not there.  I tell them and hope they believe that everything they do for their grandchildren really matters.  The kindness of grandmothers lives on and becomes a special part of who we are.

Kindness and Trader Joe's

"Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person ― not just an employee ― are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled.  Satisfied employees means satisfied customers, which leads to profitability."
― Anne M. Mulcahy

I had never been to Trader Joe's until today.  It is relatively new where I live― it opened last fall.  But thanks to the kindness of my friends, I had sampled many of its treats.  One friend introduced me to many of its snacks as well as skin care and cleaning products.  Another friend just yesterday brought me treats from there.  So we finally made the trek today and I was not disappointed.  There were many tempting items and we certainly purchased more than we should have.  But I was most impressed by the kindness of its staff, including the cashier, who was very friendly and joked with us as we checked out. 

Intrigued by the products and now my experience at Trader Joe's, I did a bit of research on the company.  (Yes, Google is my friend.)  Interestingly enough, according to a Fortune magazine article a few years ago, the employment culture at Trader Joe's is conducive to employees' attitude.  The company pays well ― full-time "crew members" can begin in the $40,000-$60,000 range and store managers can make in the low six figures, according to the article I read.  Trader Joe's also contributes a hefty percentage to retirement accounts.

If you want your employees to treat your customers well, treating your employees well is the obvious place to begin.  Kindness seems to be working at Trader Joe's.

The Kindness of Conversation

"A good quartet is like a good conversation among friends interacting to each other's ideas."
― Stan Getz

Recently, I had an impromptu coffee (tea for me) with two friends.  We three had never gone for coffee, although we had talked about doing it.  We talked, we laughed -- probably laughed more than anything.  We shared... our time, our pasts, our concerns.  After we parted, I felt uplifted.  How very wonderful it is to spend time with people who make us laugh and who give us joy.  There is kindness among friends when that can happen, and there is kindness in giving ourselves the time to enjoy those very special moments in life.

Taking Along the Memory of Kindness

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"
― Maya Angelou

One of the guys who worked at our local pizza joint was leaving his job after 13 years.  He was a fixture at the shop, always smiling, anticipating orders, being incredibly welcoming.

The week before, the owner of the pizza shop shared with one of the mothers who frequents the place that the employee was leaving, so a small group of mothers got a cake, a card and a couple of gift cards for the departing employee and showed up with their families on his last day.  The employee seemed genuinely touched by the mothers' kindness.  They let him know that he was appreciated and that he would be missed.  I imagine that wherever he goes, he will carry the memory of that kindness with him.

Kindness and TED, Take 2

You can be miserable before you have a cookie and you can be miserable after you eat a cookie but you can't be miserable while you are eating a cookie.
― Ina Garten

Inspired by Shawn Achor's widely viewed TED talk, three university students decided to perform a very sweet random act of kindness at the University of Virginia during finals week in December.  Two brothers and a friend bought nine boxes of freshly made chocolate chip cookies and passed them out to students studying for their finals. 

One of the things that was interesting to me was that one of the young men admitted that it was "a little weird at the beginning" as they approached strangers.  But, of course, the cookie recipients were grateful, even if initially surprised.  The young man's apprehension and the recipients' surprise are pretty common in kindness situations.  How often have we hesitated about reaching out because of how we think the other person might react? 

We hear and read so much about young people not knowing how to relate to each other given their obsession with technology, so I found it wonderful that three university students could get excited about sharing kindness. 

Kindness and TED

"Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude."
― Joseph Wood Krutch

This week, I saw what has become my favorite TED talk.  It's by Shawn Achor, the former Harvard researcher whom I mentioned last week in a post.  His 2011 talk, "The Happy Secret to Better Work," has garnered more than 7.2 million views.  I encourage you to watch the 12-minute video, http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.

Achor says there are five things we can do daily that will change our mindset, boost our happiness and create more success:

§  Write three gratitudes

§  Journal about a positive experience

§  Exercise

§  Meditate

§  Perform a random act of kindness

I was delighted to see kindness as one of his five recommendations.