Chapter 1: Reflections on Kindness

The concept of kindness has always intrigued me, especially after engaging with Nancy Blackman’s prompt in Refresh the Soul. It led me to contemplate the significant role that kindness plays in our lives.

When I extend kindness to others, I experience a profound sense of joy. This narrative illustrates the importance of doing the right thing.

Years ago, I resided in a quaint mountain town that thrived with tourists during the summer months. Navigating left turns became a daunting task, even with a speed limit of 20 mph.

During this time, an Indian woman reached out to me via email, requesting my services to film and edit her couple’s wedding anniversary over several days. She had beautifully romantic plans that included dancing on the beach at sunset, kayaking on the lake, and enjoying an elegant dinner—truly heartwarming ideas.

This project seemed ideal for my budding videography business. While I was accustomed to filming weddings, this felt like an exciting new venture. After we settled on the details, we focused specifically on capturing their romantic beach dance.

However, shortly before filming was to commence, I received an email from her indicating that she needed to cancel. She outlined various unfortunate events, the most memorable being the loss of her husband’s wallet in the lake after their boat capsized, nearly resulting in a drowning. How devastating!

Naturally, I reassured her that her safety was what mattered most and that I would gladly refund her deposit. While this was the ethical response, it didn’t fill me with the warmth of kindness I hoped for.

In truth, I felt a sense of disappointment. As a new entrepreneur, I relied on that income, tying much of my self-worth to my work and earnings. Returning the money felt disheartening, even if it was the right decision.

Yet, a month later, an unexpected turn of events brought me joy.

As the local traffic grew heavier, and left turns became increasingly challenging, my options were limited. To fill my schedule, I took on a part-time job at a sandwich shop. The month of July felt like a bustling New York City sidewalk but with fresher air, and I found myself working full-time hours.

The challenge in many western mountain towns is the absence of air conditioning. My cabin lacked it, as did my workplace. To cool off, I would often swim in the river behind the shop in between shifts.

On one of those swimming days, a co-worker and I spotted something unusual at the riverbed. Diving down, we discovered it was a wallet! We both raced to retrieve it, eager to see what lay inside.

I felt an instinctual pull about the wallet’s owner. After a deep breath and a final push, I emerged triumphantly with the leather wallet in hand, joy bubbling over as I surfaced.

Upon reaching the shore, we curiously examined its contents, and my heart raced when I saw the ID—it matched my client’s last name! What an exhilarating find! I knew she would be thrilled to have it back. Although they had likely canceled their trip, the wallet contained a photo and a hundred dollars in cash.

“You should keep the money,” my adventurous companion suggested. “Finder’s keepers.”

This prompted a philosophical dilemma reminiscent of my college days. Should I keep the cash or return it? Unable to recall what Plato or Aristotle would advise, I instead turned inward to gauge my instincts.

Without much deliberation, I felt a strong, intrinsic sense of what was right. “No, I’m returning it,” I replied firmly. My companion raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “They’ve had such a rough time here; they’ll be overjoyed to get this back. It’s simply the right thing to do.”

Listening to my intuition felt refreshing. When my actions resonate with my inner convictions, I experience a sense of alignment that fosters well-being.

The wallet’s owner was on her way to the police station when I returned it. As I headed back to work, I wondered if she would notice the missing cash.

That evening, after a long day of sandwich-making, I sent my former client an email with the exciting news: I found your wallet! She responded with enthusiasm, confirming that the police had informed her the money was intact as well. What a relief!

Embracing kindness towards oneself is essential, as it enables us to extend that kindness to others. This cycle is truly nourishing for the soul.

Patty McMahon, M.Ed is an educator, mother, wife, and dog lover dedicated to writing about sobriety and wellness in modern times. To assist others on their journeys, she established a book club. Join her newsletter for further insights on wellness delivered straight to your inbox.

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Chapter 2: Developing Kindness Skills

In the video "Want To Be A Better Human? You Need THESE Skills | Simon Sinek on Finding Mastery," Simon Sinek explores essential skills that foster kindness and enhance our humanity. His insights remind us that cultivating kindness is a skill that can enrich our lives and those around us.

Chapter 3: Celebrating Kindness in Sports

The second video titled "Shohei Ohtani reaches 50-50… and then some, plus the most compelling series coming up | Yahoo Sports" highlights moments of sportsmanship and kindness within the competitive world of athletics. These gestures, whether big or small, contribute to a culture of respect and camaraderie.