Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right.
So today let's dive intokindness, kindness.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Yeah, okay it seems.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Well, it seems like
one of those things you know,
you hear it all the time, butwe're going to try to like
really get into it today andfigure out what's up, with
kindness.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
And we're using this
blog post 50 Kindness Journal
Prompts.
Okay, it's by Clara Penrose andit's really cool.
It's like all these different,like thought experiments, almost
to help you be more kind orjust notice kindness more.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Yeah, and I think
that's key here, like we're not
just talking about the conceptof kindness in the abstract.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
But giving you
something actionable that you
can take away.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
So the post it's
broken up into like these five
themes, ok, and the first one,this is the one that, like when
I saw it's like whoa, this isinteresting.
Kindness to self yeah, like notbeing selfish but being kind to
yourself.
Why is that so important?
We hear that a lot, right, butlike, what's the reasoning
behind it?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Well, imagine if you
were to treat yourself with the
same kindness that you wouldoffer a close friend.
Right?
That's essentially whatself-compassion is.
Right.
You're acknowledging your ownworth.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
You're forgiving
yourself for past mistakes.
We all make them.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
And you're basically
silencing that inner critic that
we all have.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Totally.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
And research has
actually shown that
self-compassion is linked tolower anxiety, greater
resilience.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
All that good stuff.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
It.
Resilience yeah, all that goodstuff.
It's like that prompt.
There's one in here about atime that you achieved a goal
and it makes you think aboutlike how are you kind to
yourself during that process,like not just celebrating at the
end?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
we forget that part
exactly, and and we achieve
things because of how we treatourselves along the way yeah
those moments of self-doubtwhere you need to dig deep.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
That's where the
kindness comes in.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
And Penrose actually
says kindness to yourself is not
selfish.
It is essential for yourwell-being and your ability to
be kind to others.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Yeah, and it's like
that, saying you can't pour from
an empty cup, right.
If you're constantly running onempty, beating yourself up, how
much can you really genuinelyoffer other people?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
yeah it's about
refilling your own reserves of
compassion so that it overflowsoh, I like that yeah yeah, that
makes a lot of sense because Iknow like when I'm stressed out,
right, if I haven't had mycoffee or whatever, I'm way more
likely to like snap at someoneor just not even notice.
Like my kindness, batteriesdrain Exactly.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Yeah, and you know,
when we practice self-kindness,
we build up that resilience, webuild up that empathy.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Right.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
And it allows us to
be more present, more
compassionate to other people,because we've given ourselves
that same courtesy.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Okay, so we got to be
kind to ourselves first.
That's like the foundation.
Then we can go out and be kindto other people, exactly which,
I guess, leads us perfectly intoour next theme, which is acts
of kindness.
Okay, so this is about thoseeveryday gestures could be big
or small that have like a rippleeffect.
Hmm, have you ever noticed likeeven just holding a door for
someone, it can totally changetheir demeanor for the rest of
(03:04):
the day?
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Oh, absolutely.
It's amazing how these smallacts can really impact how we
feel.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Think about a time
that someone surprised you with
kindness.
How did it make you feel?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Oh my gosh.
Yeah, there was one time.
I was having just the worstmorning and the barista at my
coffee shop he just like gave methis free pastry.
He was like you, look like youcould use this and it totally
changed my whole day around.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
See, and that's the
amazing thing about kindness
right.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Doesn't have to be
this big, grand gesture, right,
it could be something so smalland simple.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
And still have a
profound impact.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
It's like Penrose
says kindness is the glue that
holds communities together.
A small act can make a bigdifference.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
And it reminds us
that we all have the power to
make a positive impact.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Every interaction we
have, no matter how small, holds
that potential for kindness.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
That's a good point.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So you know, it's one
thing to like receive kindness,
but Penrose also talks aboutgratitude for those acts of
kindness.
That's what we're going to getinto now.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
It's about shifting
from just sort of passively
receiving it Right To activelyappreciating the kindness.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Oh, I like that yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
So it's not just
about having nice things happen
to you.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
But like really
taking them in, letting it like
sink deep or something.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Yeah, one of the
prompts actually asks you to
think about a time that you felttruly grateful for someone's
help.
Yeah, and what was it that madeit so significant?
It's about recognizing thegenerosity behind the act,
really letting yourself betouched by it.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
That reminds me
actually last week my car broke
down.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Oh no.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Talk about a bad day,
right, yeah, and this guy, this
stranger.
He just stopped and helped mepush it to a safe spot.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
I was so flustered I
don't even think I like thanked
him properly, oh man.
But like thinking back on it,it wasn't just the help, it was
that he stopped.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Like so many other
cars had just driven by.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, wow.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
It made me feel seen.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Yeah, you know yeah,
and I think that's what Penrose
is getting at here.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
It's about
strengthening those feelings of
gratitude and connection, okay,helping us focus on what we have
rather than what we lack it'slike that quote gratitude is the
memory of the heart yes whenyou said that, I was like, I
know that.
Quote it's a good one.
Yeah, it is a good onerecognizing kindness in that way
.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It really does make
you appreciate life more
absolutely which leads us to, Iguess, kind of our next theme
okay which is observing kindnessokay it's about like opening
your eyes to those little actsof compassion that often go
unnoticed.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Becoming a mindful
observer of the world around you
right.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You're looking for
those subtle but really powerful
displays of empathy.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
There's this prompt
about observing kindness in
nature.
Have you ever seen an animalbeing kind?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
All the time.
I mean, there are countlessexamples of it really yeah
elephants mourning their dead,dolphins helping injured
companions oh, it really makesyou kind of challenge your
assumptions about where we mightfind kindness that's so cool.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
It's amazing how
seeing it in like those
unexpected places, yeah.
Really shifts your perspective.
It's like, oh yeah, it iseverywhere if you just are
looking for it.
Exactly speaking of unexpectedplaces really shifts your
perspective.
It's like, oh yeah, it iseverywhere if you just are
looking for it Exactly.
Speaking of unexpected places,there's a prompt in here about
witnessing kindness, like duringhard times.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Those moments can be
so impactful.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Absolutely.
It's about those like glimmersof light in the darkness.
Yeah, reminders that evenamidst, you know, really
difficult times.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Compassion still
existsers that even amidst you
know, really difficult times,yeah, compassion still exists.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Like when my friend,
her mom, passed away last year.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Even just like
someone bringing over a meal or
offering to like listen to her.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Meant the world to
her, you know.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
It's that reminder
that you're not alone.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Exactly.
Even when things are reallytough, those small acts of
kindness can bring so much hope,yeah, and remind us of the
inherent good in humanity.
Totally, penrose doesn't justwant us to observe it, though.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
She wants us to act.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
To do it.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
So that brings us to
our final theme spreading
kindness.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Okay, let's talk
action.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Let's do it.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
We've explored all
these facets of kindness.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Right.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
Now, how do we
actually put it?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah, this is where
we go from contemplation to
action.
Okay, taking what we've learnedand actually putting it into
practice in our lives.
I like it and the prompts here.
They offer some reallyfantastic concrete ideas.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Uh-huh.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
For example, one of
them suggests creating a
kindness challenge for yourself.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
A kindness challenge.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Yeah, I like that
yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
So what would yours
be If you had to pick one?
What would your kindnesschallenge be?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Ooh, that's a good
one.
Yeah Well, one idea I had wasto commit to one act of kindness
for a stranger every day for aweek.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Something as simple
as letting someone go ahead of
you in line at the grocery store.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Or paying a
compliment to the cashier.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Oh, that's nice.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
These little things
can really make someone's day.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Yeah, I love that.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
What about maybe we
can like start a kindness
tradition?
Speaker 2 (08:12):
with, like our
friends or family or something.
I don't know.
Maybe it's like a weekly thingwhere we like write thank you
notes to people who've made adifference in our lives.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Oh, I love that.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Like volunteering
together at a local charity or
something.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Exactly, and those
shared experiences can be so
powerful.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
And it's a way to
kind of build a sense of
community.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, around,
kindness, I like it.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
You know, there's
actually another prompt in this
section about the ripple effectof kindness.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Oh, have you ever
experienced that.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Oh yeah, where one
act of kindness kind of inspires
another, and so on.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Yeah, it's like that.
Saying kindness is contagious.
Yes, I remember one time I wasdriving and this car in front of
me stopped to let thispedestrian cross the street.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Even though they
didn't have to, it wasn't even
like a crosswalk or anythingRight and it just I don't know
it made me want to do somethingnice too.
So, like at the next drivethrough, I paid for the coffee
for the person behind me.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Oh, I love it.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
It's just, it makes
you want to keep it going, you
know it's amazing how witnessingkindness can inspire us to pay
it forward.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, create this
beautiful chain reaction of
compassion Totally, and itdoesn't have to be anything
grand or heroic.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Sometimes the
smallest acts can have the most
profound ripple effects.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
So true, yeah,
Penrose.
She writes spreading kindnessis like planting seeds Each act
has the potential to grow andbloom in ways we may never fully
see.
That's a great analogy.
It is a good one.
Yeah, you might not even everknow what impact your kindness
had, but that shouldn't stop usfrom doing it.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Exactly.
We just got to plant thoseseeds of kindness wherever we
can.
I like it.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yeah.
So I guess, as we're kind ofwrapping up here, yeah.
Our deep dive into kindness.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
The deep dive into
kindness.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Yes, what's like the
biggest takeaway for you.
What's really resonating?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
You know, I think for
me it's that reminder that
kindness isn't this passivething that just happens to us
Okay, it's an active choice thatwe can make in every single
interaction and that even thesmallest gestures can have a
really big impact.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
On both the giver and
the receiver.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Oh, that's good.
Yeah, it's empowering to knowthat we have that power to just
make that choice, yeah.
It's empowering to know that wehave that power to just make
that choice, yeah.
So, as you're going about yourday to day, think back on all
this stuff.
We talked about what reallystuck with you and what's one
little act of kindness you cando.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
You know plant that
seed Plant that seed Exactly.
Love it.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
All right.
Well, this was fun.
Thanks for diving in with me.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
This was great.
Thanks for having me.