July 12, 2025 • 28 mins
Welcome back to another heart-centered episode of Inspirations for Your Life, I’m your host, John C. Morley — serial entrepreneur and podcast coach. In today’s transformative conversation, we’re diving into a theme that’s both timeless and urgently relevant: The Ripple Effect of Small Kindness. In a world that often feels rushed and impersonal, kindness becomes a revolutionary act. But it’s not just about grand gestures—sometimes, it’s the tiniest moment of connection that creates the loudest echo in someone’s life. Get ready to explore how every action, no matter how small, can generate waves of goodness, hope, and change. 💖🌍
1️⃣ A smile can lift a stranger’s whole day 😊 Never underestimate the power of a genuine smile. It's a silent but powerful message that says, “I see you. You matter.” Whether you're walking into a café, passing someone on the street, or simply acknowledging the cashier, a smile has the potential to brighten someone’s world. That one flash of warmth could be the only kindness they encounter all day — and sometimes, that’s enough to shift their mood or give them hope. Smiles are free, but their impact is priceless.
2️⃣ Kind words echo longer than we realize 🗣️ Words are powerful tools—capable of healing or harming. A simple compliment, a heartfelt thank-you, or a few words of encouragement can stay with someone for years. Think about a time someone said something uplifting that you still remember. Now imagine being that person for someone else. Speaking with kindness isn't just good manners — it’s a gift that keeps giving long after the moment has passed.
3️⃣ One helpful act inspires another – like a chain 💫 Kindness is contagious. When you help someone carry groceries or hold the door, you're not just solving a momentary need—you’re modeling generosity. That person is now more likely to help someone else. It's a chain reaction of compassion, and you never know how far it might go. One small act can travel across cities, communities, and even generations. Be the spark that starts the ripple.
4️⃣ Kindness lowers stress for both giver and receiver 🧠 Science backs it: acts of kindness release serotonin, reduce cortisol, and boost oxytocin — the “feel-good” hormone. When you help someone, your brain literally rewards you. But the real beauty is, the person receiving your kindness experiences those same calming effects too. In a high-stress, anxiety-filled world, kindness is a natural antidote. It soothes the mind and fosters genuine human connection.
5️⃣ It spreads — people pass it on naturally 🔄 One person buying coffee for the next in line often turns into a chain of ten or more. Why? Because kindness feels good — and we naturally want others to feel that too. When people witness kindness, it triggers a psychological urge to replicate that behavior. It's human empathy in motion. So the next time you’re kind to someone, know you’ve likely just started a quiet revolution.
6️⃣ You never know who really needed that gesture 💔 Someone may be silently struggling through grief, anxiety, or loneliness. That small gesture you consider routine—holding a door, offering your seat, or simply checking in—could be life-changing for them. Kindness often reaches people in their invisible battles. Your seemingly small action might be their only light in a dark day. That’s the sacred power of compassion: we don’t always see its full impact, but it matters deeply.
7️⃣ Kindness builds trust in communities 🤝 Consistent kindness fosters a sense of safety, reliability, and mutual care. When neighbors greet each other, help shovel snow, or check on the elderly, it transforms an area from just a neighborhood into a community. These small social investments add up to stronger bonds, reduced isolation, and increased wellbeing. In a kind community, people feel seen, valued, and empowered.
8️⃣ Small moments often leave the biggest impact 💥 It’s not always the grand gestures that s
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:23):
Hello there everyone.
It's great to be with you on a
Saturday.
You know what Saturday means, don't you?
Saturday means that we are starting a brand
new master topic.
So welcome to all my favorite friends, colleagues,
and associates that always join us.
And welcome to those that are joining us
for the very first time here on the
(00:44):
Inspirations for Your Life show.
And the granular topic for the week is
the power to change a life is already
in your hands.
We're on series four, show 29, episode number
one.
Hey guys, before we get started, feel free
to get yourself something so you'll be comfortable.
Like I have my RO water, you can
get yourself a snack, could be some fruit,
(01:05):
could be something tart, sweet or not.
It's up to you, nuts.
Got my drink here and get back and
get comfortable.
Also, if you have not checked out believemeachieved
.com, what are you waiting for?
Check that out right after the show is
over.
It's available 24 hours a day and it
has all kinds of amazing content that really
(01:25):
will, well, change and empower your life.
All right guys, let's get this show started.
So welcome back to another heartwarming centered episode
of the Inspirations for Your Life podcast.
I am your host, podcast coach, entrepreneur, video
producer, engineer, graduate student.
(01:47):
Yes, you guys know me as a serial
entrepreneur and I'm John Sumorla.
It is a privilege and pleasure to be
with you once again here on Inspirations for
Your Life show.
In tonight's transformative conversation, we're diving into a
theme that's both timeless and urgently relevant, the
(02:07):
ripple effect.
We've talked about it briefly, but we haven't
gotten that deep.
The ripple effect of small kindness.
In a world that often feels rushed and
impersonal, kindness becomes a revolutionary act, but it's
not just about grand gestures.
Sometimes it's the tiniest moment of connection that
creates the loudest echo in someone's life.
(02:29):
It could be a smile, it could be
holding the door, it could be a compliment.
So get ready, everyone.
We're going to be bold here to explore
how every action, no matter how small, can
generate waves of goodness, hope, and change.
Ready?
Let's get started.
All right, guys.
So a smile can lift a stranger's whole
day.
(02:49):
Oh, incidentally, we got a brand new light.
I haven't had a chance to get that
installed yet.
We're going to be doing an unboxing on
that and the other show probably later this
week.
And the reason is, is that it will
actually get rid of some of this glare
that sometimes happens.
I have to tip the light up.
So yeah, really happy to have that.
And actually, it's basically a brother of the
(03:10):
bigger studio light that I use when I
do the different reels.
So a smile can lift a stranger's whole
day up.
Never underestimate the power of the genuine smile.
It's a silent but a powerful message that
says, hey, I see you.
You matter.
Whether you're walking into a cafe, passing someone
(03:31):
on the street, or simply acknowledging the cashier,
a smile has the potential to brighten someone's
world and change their entire day.
So why not try it?
That one flash of warmth could be the
only kindness they encounter all day, which is
sad.
And sometimes that's enough to shift their mood
or give them hope, which is really great.
(03:54):
Smiles are free, but their impact is priceless.
So why don't we start giving out smiles?
They're free, and you'll actually feel good by
doing it.
Number two, guys, kind words echo longer than
we realize.
Words are powerful tools, capable of healing or
(04:15):
harming.
A simple compliment, a heartfelt thank you, or
a few words of encouragement can stay with
someone, well, for years.
Think about a time someone said something uplifting
that you still remember today.
Now imagine being that person for someone else.
Speaking with kindness isn't just good manners.
(04:38):
It's a gift that keeps giving long after
the moment has passed.
All right, so let's get right in here.
So number three, guys, is one helpful act
inspires another, like almost a chain reaction.
So kindness is contagious.
(04:59):
When you help someone carry groceries or hold
the door, you're not just solving a momentary
need.
You're modeling, well, generosity.
I think that's important.
That person is now more likely to help
someone else that day.
It's a chain reaction of compassion, and you
never know how far it might go.
(05:21):
One small act can travel across cities, communities,
and even generations.
But being the spark that starts the ripple
is really amazing.
So why not choose to do that?
Number four, guys, kindness lowers stress for both
the giver and the receiver.
Did you guys know that?
Kindness lowers stress for the giver and the
(05:44):
receiver.
So I think that's a very important thing
to realize and to, I'm going to say,
acknowledge because it can really make a difference.
All right, science has backed this.
And acts of kindness release serotonin.
We've talked about this before.
They reduce cortisol and boost oxytocin, the quote
(06:07):
-unquote feel-good hormone.
When you help someone, your brain literally rewards
you.
But the real beauty is the person receiving
your kindness experiences those same calming effects too
as you do.
In a high-stress, anxiety-filled world, kindness
is a natural antidote.
(06:27):
All right?
And it soothes the mind and fosters genuine
human connection.
That's what's important.
Number five, it spreads and people pass it
on naturally.
One person buying coffee for the next in
line often turns into a chain of 10
or more.
Why?
Because kindness feels good and we naturally want
(06:51):
others to feel that way too.
When people witness kindness, it triggers a psychological
urge to replicate that behavior.
It's human empathy in motion.
So the next time you're kind to someone,
know you've likely just started a quiet revolution
and be grateful for that.
(07:13):
Number six, you know who really needed that
gesture, right?
You know who really needed that gesture.
Someone may be silently struggling through grief, anxiety,
or loneliness.
That small gesture you consider routine, holding a
door, offering your seat, or simply checking in
could be life-changing for them.
(07:35):
Kindness often reaches people in their invisible battles.
Your seemingly small action might be their only
light in a dark day.
That's the sacred power of compassion.
We don't always see its full impact, but
it matters very deeply, not just to us,
but to the person that we're helping.
(07:56):
Number seven, kindness builds trust in communities.
And I think this is something that a
lot of people don't realize and they underestimate
the power of this because it is so,
well, it's so grand.
And so consistent kindness fosters a sense of
safety, reliability, and mutual care.
(08:18):
When neighbors greet each other, help shovel snow,
or check on the elderly, it transforms an
area from just a neighborhood into a community.
And these small social investments add up to
stronger bonds, reduced isolation, and increased well-being.
In a kind community, people feel seen, valued,
(08:40):
and also empowered.
Number eight, small moments often leave the biggest
impact.
It's not always the grand gestures that stick
with us.
It's the small unexpected ones, a stranger returning
a lost wallet, someone paying your expired parking
meter, or a friend showing up just when
(09:01):
you needed them.
These micro moments carry immense emotional weight.
They prove that love and care exist in
the corners of everyday life, and that you
can be the source of that meaning, that
truth, your intention.
(09:22):
Number nine, a little help can prevent someone
from giving up.
Sometimes a person is just one kind word
away from deciding not to give up.
Whether it's a student overwhelmed by pressure, a
parent exhausted from caregiving, or a friend who
feels like no one notices them, your small
act of kindness could be the thing that
convinces them to keep going.
(09:45):
We may never know the full extent of
the lives we touch, but one thing is
for sure, kindness has the potential to save
someone silently.
Number 10, children model kindness they witness.
Kids don't learn kindness from lectures or books.
(10:07):
They absorb it from what they see, what
they experience.
When you're kind to others, children around you
internalize that as normal behavior.
They grow into compassionate adults who perpetuate those
values.
So every time you show empathy in front
of a young one, you're planting the seeds
(10:28):
for kinder futures, one gentle moment at a
time.
Number 11, guys, encouragement fuels confidence.
Believing in someone when they don't yet believe
in themselves is one of the most generous
forms of kindness.
A mentor saying you've got this or a
friend reminding you of your worth can ignite
(10:50):
self-belief in profound ways.
Encouragement is not just emotional support.
It's rocket fuel for someone's dreams.
A kind word today can become the foundation
of someone's success tomorrow.
I think that's a very important thing.
Number 12, kindness can pivot or shift someone's
(11:11):
entire outlook on life.
That's right.
When someone experiences repeated moments of care, especially
during difficult times, it can completely reshape their
worldview, and they may move from distrust to
openness, from hopelessness to optimism.
Kindness doesn't just improve someone's day.
(11:33):
It can truly transform their whole story.
That kind of change doesn't require superpowers.
It just requires you to have an honest,
pure heart with awareness and a willing desire
to act.
I think sometimes we all get caught up
in this boat where, how is it going
(11:54):
to help me?
Let's stop worrying about how it's going to
help me and let's do some good for
the world.
Here's the part of the show I really
love.
I love the whole show, but I love
this part especially.
I'm going to give you a personal lesson
or story for each point tonight.
I'm hoping that it will solidify what we've
(12:19):
talked about and will get you to want
to take some action.
Now, I know you're probably saying, John, I
do enough.
Well, the thing is this, when you start
to be that conduit, when you start to
be that light of kindness, do you know
(12:41):
what happens?
Other people will reward you in kind.
Now, when I'm kind to people, I don't
do it because I'm looking to get something.
I do it because I generally enjoy making
(13:01):
people feel good, treating people the right manner.
I know what it was like when I
was younger and people didn't, let's say, treat
me in the best ways, but I'm not
here to complain about that.
I'm here to make the world a better
place today.
So a smile can lift a stranger's whole
(13:23):
day.
I remember once walking through a busy airport
after a long, stressful week of back-to
-back meetings.
As I passed the janitor, I offered a
warm smile.
He looked surprised and then lit up with
a huge grin in return.
A few minutes later, I saw him smiling
and greeting others with a spring in his
step.
That smile, very simple, which it was for
(13:44):
me to elicit, created a spark that seemed
to spread.
You know what else I do?
When I get off the plane at United
and there's the people on the plane cleaning
up the plane, I acknowledge them.
Have a great day.
Have a great day, guys.
Have a great day, ladies.
And when I get to the pilot and
the steward staff, have a great day.
(14:06):
Thank you for a great flight.
Amazing flight.
And even the people getting off the jetway,
hey, thank you so much.
Have a great day.
Oh, you too.
And you know what?
Each and every one of those people always
says you too.
Thank you and you too.
See, that moment taught me that even when
we feel drained, choosing kindness can refill someone
(14:26):
else's emotional tank.
And in doing so, it often fills our
own tank.
Smiles are more than expressions, guys.
They're signals of humanity and true connection.
Number two, kind words.
Kind words echo longer than we ever realize.
Years later, I was speaking at a local
(14:48):
business meetup.
After my talk, a young entrepreneur approached me
and said, your words gave me hope when
I was about to quit.
I didn't even remember what I had said
specifically, but it had clearly stuck with him.
Kindness through words doesn't require poetic speeches, just
sincerity.
We may forget what we say, but those
(15:11):
we speak to might carry our words with
them for a lifetime.
And he was at a conference of mine
about a year before, and he was on
the fence about giving up school, giving up
college.
And after hearing whatever I said that night,
or that day, he decided to stick with
it.
And he said he was so glad that
(15:31):
he did, and he owed it all to
me.
And I was like, I'm very grateful.
Thank you for coming.
I'm glad that I was able to inspire
you.
One helpful act inspires another, like this chain
reaction.
I once saw someone struggling to get their
grocery cart through the snow.
I helped push it to their car.
They smiled and said, I'll help someone else
(15:53):
today because of you.
That moment rippled in me and made me
just feel so electric.
Helping others isn't about recognition, guys.
It's about showing what's possible.
When someone receives help, they feel inspired to
pay it forward.
And that's how kindness becomes culture.
Kindness lowers stress for both the giver and
(16:15):
the receiver.
During a chaotic deadline week, I paused to
bring coffee to a colleague who was visibly
overwhelmed.
His whole demeanor had changed.
His shoulders relaxed and smile returned just from
a little cup of coffee.
Interestingly enough, I noticed my stress melt away
(16:36):
too.
Giving kindness truly is a two-way therapy
session.
It centers you, it grounds you, and it
reminds you what matters most.
You see, it spreads and people pass it
on naturally, like magic.
I once paid for the coffee of the
person behind me in line.
(16:57):
Later that day, someone held the door for
me and said, pay it forward.
And it came full circle in just hours.
Karma really does exist.
When people witness or receive kindness, it activates
a desire to replicate it, like a smile
or yawn.
Kindness is catchy.
It's contagious.
(17:18):
So let your kindness be seen.
You never know who really needed that gesture.
A friend once told me the small note
I had left for them saying, I believe
in you, had stopped them from quitting their
job during a tough time.
You rarely know someone's internal battle or the
(17:41):
challenges they're going through with themselves or their
family or their friends.
Small gestures and kind are often the exact
medicines someone didn't know that they actually needed.
Be generous with your compassion and you're going
to be very amazed with the results.
Kindness builds trust in communities.
During a storm, neighbors helped us clear branches
(18:04):
from our driveway.
We didn't speak often before, but after that
shared kindness, we became friends.
Kindness is how neighborhoods evolve into communities.
Trust and safety grows in the soil of
small daily gestures.
And over time, those roots deepen.
(18:27):
Small moments often leave the biggest impact.
A child once handed me basically a flower
from their garden and said, for you.
And that memory has stayed with me for
years.
It cost them nothing, but it meant everything
to them.
And I was very grateful.
(18:48):
So when somebody gives you a gift, regardless
of whether it's the gift you want or
not, the fact that they took that step
to do it, we should be really kind
and grateful that they did do that because
the act is really what's important, not the
gift.
Life isn't made of epic moments, okay?
(19:08):
It's shaped by the tiny ones that reveal
love and care.
Never underestimate a seemingly small act.
It may just echo forever in your life
and maybe someone else's.
A little help can prevent someone from giving
up, as I mentioned.
In college, I was close to having a
challenge with a course.
A professor had pulled me aside, offered me
(19:29):
encouragement, and even gave me some extra help.
That course was one because of some of
the challenges I was going through in school.
I might have failed it, but because he
took me aside and he offered me some
encouragement that you know the work and he
offered me some extra help, that saved my
(19:50):
GPA, my motivation, and it kept me on
track to becoming an engineer.
Sometimes the smallest boost can keep someone afloat.
You don't need to rescue them.
You just need to remind them they're not
alone.
Children model kindness they witness.
My relative once gave her classmate a sticker
(20:13):
after seeing me thank a cashier kindly.
Her teacher later told us that it helped
calm a tense moment in class and I
remember in class when you know that was
a big deal.
I don't know if you guys remember this.
I went to school both in grammar school
(20:33):
and also in high school.
So, my grammar school first I went to
pre-k and then k through eight was
my grammar school and then grades one, well
freshman, sophomore, junior, senior was my high school.
Then I went to my first college.
Now I'm in my second college.
So, that's a very interesting thing.
(20:54):
So, we got stickers.
Anytime you got, I think it was a
B or higher, you got a sticker.
So, whenever you got this grade, you got
to go to the teacher and you got
to ask, he's like, oh, can I get
a sticker?
And so, I remember it was in our
math class and the teacher's like, you know,
anybody does gets a B or higher, you
(21:15):
get a sticker and anybody that gets a
B or higher, I've got these beautiful smelling
stickers and it was pretty neat.
So, you could have all different kinds of
stickers, but they were like, they could be
letter stickers, they were smooth and disperse back
then.
And when you brought the test home and
it had a sticker on it, you're really
(21:35):
proud of it.
And that was kind of like a little
mini celebration.
So, kids absorb kindness like sponges, so do
adults.
We model it with integrity and a frequency.
We raise a generation more likely to lead
with love.
(21:56):
And so, when we tune into that frequency,
I've talked about this before, when we tune
into that frequency, it already exists.
It just is allowed to play out in
our lives and others.
Encouragement fuels confidence, guys.
A mentor once said to me, John, you
were born for this.
(22:17):
Right before my first keynote, I was fluttering.
That sentence still fuels me today.
You were born for this.
COVID had been challenging for a while, but
recently I got back onto the horse again
and actually got my first speaking thing after
(22:37):
COVID.
So, I was really happy about that.
And I looked at my day-based culture
honorarium fees and I wasn't sure what I
should charge, but I had this gut inside
me of what I should charge now.
And strangely enough, I was within their budget.
So, we're still waiting for some final details,
but that belief is what got me to
(23:00):
take that step.
And so, when I heard, John, you were
born for this, that just made every cell
in my body light up.
When someone believes in you, hey, believeintheachieved.com,
no pun intended there, one word of belief
can light the fuse to a lifetime of
potential.
(23:20):
When somebody doesn't believe in you, it shuts
you down.
Remember I've said to you before, if somebody
says something and you like it and you
agree with it and you associate with it,
it's gonna make you feel good.
If someone says something bad to you, just
disassociate with it and it won't have an
impact on you.
It takes a little practice to do that.
(23:40):
So, kindness, ladies and gentlemen, can shift someone's
entire look on life.
I met someone, a man who was deeply
cynical due to a past betrayal.
After some consistent, simple kindness, greeting, sharing some
meals, listening, his walls slowly came down.
(24:02):
See, kindness can rebuild someone's broken view of
the world.
It doesn't happen overnight, but every kind act
helps them see light where there was once
only darkness.
You know, you can tune into the show
all the time here live, or you can
go to believeintheachieved.com to watch and listen
(24:24):
to Inspirations to Your Life, Gene Moore Tech
Talk Show, and many of my other short
form and long form content pieces.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to invite you
right now personally to become the reason someone
believes in good, in possibilities.
You see, our mind, not to get into
(24:46):
this because we're almost wrapping up, our mind
looks for what we tell it.
If we tell it things aren't good, it
looks for things that are going to make
it not good.
We tell it things are good, it's going
to try to find things that are going
(25:07):
to, let's say, with that premise.
I want to end on a very important
story.
So many of you guys know I run
different groups with events, and I run this
group in New Jersey that I've been running
for now over a year.
And we were doing this hike today, and
I have to tell you, I was saying
(25:27):
this whole thing about, you know, being accepted
and just talking, and it was just nice.
There's only a few of us there, but
it was nice being with this group and
being thanked for not only organizing this hike
and providing some goody bag things and some
water and whatnot, but just genuine kindness.
And we talked about how other people were
(25:49):
not kind to us, like that's terrible.
And I think we immediately made, well, let's
say a pretty good bond, that we all
respected each other, and that we all just
wanted to come together to help each other.
That left me so speechless.
(26:09):
And this kicked in about, the hike started
about 11.30 and it ended about 3
.15, 3.30. This kicked in around maybe
1.30, two hours into the hike, and
I started realizing that we've got to be
more.
(26:29):
We got to be kind to people.
I think that's important.
And when we talk about this whole thing
about the power to change a life, guys,
it's already in your hands.
You can make that difference.
(26:51):
And when you make that difference for someone
else, you know what happens?
It boomerangs back and makes the difference for
you.
I don't know about you, but I think
that's like the bee's knees.
I love putting out great content.
I love educating people.
(27:12):
And I have to admit, I love it
when people tell me that they enjoy my
content.
That makes me feel really good.
I know I'm doing a great job with
my content, but it's just when I get
to hear it from people, it makes me
feel so good inside.
Letting me know that I was the reason
for their change.
(27:33):
I was the reason for their positive change.
That's powerful, guys.
Really powerful.
And as I said to you before, kindness
can rebuild someone's broken view of the world.
It doesn't happen overnight, but every kind act
helps them and us see light where there
(27:56):
was once only darkness.
So our belief, ladies and gentlemen, in case
you didn't know this, it shapes our reality.
It shapes our reality.
Whatever we think, we become.
Not in 25 minutes or so, but we
do.
Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you guys have
(28:16):
a fantastic rest of your evening, and I'll
catch you real soon in a great week.
Hello there everyone.
It's great to be with you on a
Saturday.
You know what Saturday means, don't you?
Saturday means that we are starting a brand
new master topic.
So welcome to all my favorite friends, colleagues,
and associates that always join us.
And welcome to those that are joining us
for the very first time here on the
(00:44):
Inspirations for Your Life show.
And the granular topic for the week is
the power to change a life is already
in your hands.
We're on series four, show 29, episode number
one.
Hey guys, before we get started, feel free
to get yourself something so you'll be comfortable.
Like I have my RO water, you can
get yourself a snack, could be some fruit,
(01:05):
could be something tart, sweet or not.
It's up to you, nuts.
Got my drink here and get back and
get comfortable.
Also, if you have not checked out believemeachieved
.com, what are you waiting for?
Check that out right after the show is
over.
It's available 24 hours a day and it
has all kinds of amazing content that really
(01:25):
will, well, change and empower your life.
All right guys, let's get this show started.
So welcome back to another heartwarming centered episode
of the Inspirations for Your Life podcast.
I am your host, podcast coach, entrepreneur, video
producer, engineer, graduate student.
(01:47):
Yes, you guys know me as a serial
entrepreneur and I'm John Sumorla.
It is a privilege and pleasure to be
with you once again here on Inspirations for
Your Life show.
In tonight's transformative conversation, we're diving into a
theme that's both timeless and urgently relevant, the
(02:07):
ripple effect.
We've talked about it briefly, but we haven't
gotten that deep.
The ripple effect of small kindness.
In a world that often feels rushed and
impersonal, kindness becomes a revolutionary act, but it's
not just about grand gestures.
Sometimes it's the tiniest moment of connection that
creates the loudest echo in someone's life.
(02:29):
It could be a smile, it could be
holding the door, it could be a compliment.
So get ready, everyone.
We're going to be bold here to explore
how every action, no matter how small, can
generate waves of goodness, hope, and change.
Ready?
Let's get started.
All right, guys.
So a smile can lift a stranger's whole
day.
(02:49):
Oh, incidentally, we got a brand new light.
I haven't had a chance to get that
installed yet.
We're going to be doing an unboxing on
that and the other show probably later this
week.
And the reason is, is that it will
actually get rid of some of this glare
that sometimes happens.
I have to tip the light up.
So yeah, really happy to have that.
And actually, it's basically a brother of the
(03:10):
bigger studio light that I use when I
do the different reels.
So a smile can lift a stranger's whole
day up.
Never underestimate the power of the genuine smile.
It's a silent but a powerful message that
says, hey, I see you.
You matter.
Whether you're walking into a cafe, passing someone
(03:31):
on the street, or simply acknowledging the cashier,
a smile has the potential to brighten someone's
world and change their entire day.
So why not try it?
That one flash of warmth could be the
only kindness they encounter all day, which is
sad.
And sometimes that's enough to shift their mood
or give them hope, which is really great.
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Smiles are free, but their impact is priceless.
So why don't we start giving out smiles?
They're free, and you'll actually feel good by
doing it.
Number two, guys, kind words echo longer than
we realize.
Words are powerful tools, capable of healing or
(04:15):
harming.
A simple compliment, a heartfelt thank you, or
a few words of encouragement can stay with
someone, well, for years.
Think about a time someone said something uplifting
that you still remember today.
Now imagine being that person for someone else.
Speaking with kindness isn't just good manners.
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It's a gift that keeps giving long after
the moment has passed.
All right, so let's get right in here.
So number three, guys, is one helpful act
inspires another, like almost a chain reaction.
So kindness is contagious.
(04:59):
When you help someone carry groceries or hold
the door, you're not just solving a momentary
need.
You're modeling, well, generosity.
I think that's important.
That person is now more likely to help
someone else that day.
It's a chain reaction of compassion, and you
never know how far it might go.
(05:21):
One small act can travel across cities, communities,
and even generations.
But being the spark that starts the ripple
is really amazing.
So why not choose to do that?
Number four, guys, kindness lowers stress for both
the giver and the receiver.
Did you guys know that?
Kindness lowers stress for the giver and the
(05:44):
receiver.
So I think that's a very important thing
to realize and to, I'm going to say,
acknowledge because it can really make a difference.
All right, science has backed this.
And acts of kindness release serotonin.
We've talked about this before.
They reduce cortisol and boost oxytocin, the quote
(06:07):
-unquote feel-good hormone.
When you help someone, your brain literally rewards
you.
But the real beauty is the person receiving
your kindness experiences those same calming effects too
as you do.
In a high-stress, anxiety-filled world, kindness
is a natural antidote.
(06:27):
All right?
And it soothes the mind and fosters genuine
human connection.
That's what's important.
Number five, it spreads and people pass it
on naturally.
One person buying coffee for the next in
line often turns into a chain of 10
or more.
Why?
Because kindness feels good and we naturally want
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others to feel that way too.
When people witness kindness, it triggers a psychological
urge to replicate that behavior.
It's human empathy in motion.
So the next time you're kind to someone,
know you've likely just started a quiet revolution
and be grateful for that.
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Number six, you know who really needed that
gesture, right?
You know who really needed that gesture.
Someone may be silently struggling through grief, anxiety,
or loneliness.
That small gesture you consider routine, holding a
door, offering your seat, or simply checking in
could be life-changing for them.
(07:35):
Kindness often reaches people in their invisible battles.
Your seemingly small action might be their only
light in a dark day.
That's the sacred power of compassion.
We don't always see its full impact, but
it matters very deeply, not just to us,
but to the person that we're helping.
(07:56):
Number seven, kindness builds trust in communities.
And I think this is something that a
lot of people don't realize and they underestimate
the power of this because it is so,
well, it's so grand.
And so consistent kindness fosters a sense of
safety, reliability, and mutual care.
(08:18):
When neighbors greet each other, help shovel snow,
or check on the elderly, it transforms an
area from just a neighborhood into a community.
And these small social investments add up to
stronger bonds, reduced isolation, and increased well-being.
In a kind community, people feel seen, valued,
(08:40):
and also empowered.
Number eight, small moments often leave the biggest
impact.
It's not always the grand gestures that stick
with us.
It's the small unexpected ones, a stranger returning
a lost wallet, someone paying your expired parking
meter, or a friend showing up just when
(09:01):
you needed them.
These micro moments carry immense emotional weight.
They prove that love and care exist in
the corners of everyday life, and that you
can be the source of that meaning, that
truth, your intention.
(09:22):
Number nine, a little help can prevent someone
from giving up.
Sometimes a person is just one kind word
away from deciding not to give up.
Whether it's a student overwhelmed by pressure, a
parent exhausted from caregiving, or a friend who
feels like no one notices them, your small
act of kindness could be the thing that
convinces them to keep going.
(09:45):
We may never know the full extent of
the lives we touch, but one thing is
for sure, kindness has the potential to save
someone silently.
Number 10, children model kindness they witness.
Kids don't learn kindness from lectures or books.
(10:07):
They absorb it from what they see, what
they experience.
When you're kind to others, children around you
internalize that as normal behavior.
They grow into compassionate adults who perpetuate those
values.
So every time you show empathy in front
of a young one, you're planting the seeds
(10:28):
for kinder futures, one gentle moment at a
time.
Number 11, guys, encouragement fuels confidence.
Believing in someone when they don't yet believe
in themselves is one of the most generous
forms of kindness.
A mentor saying you've got this or a
friend reminding you of your worth can ignite
(10:50):
self-belief in profound ways.
Encouragement is not just emotional support.
It's rocket fuel for someone's dreams.
A kind word today can become the foundation
of someone's success tomorrow.
I think that's a very important thing.
Number 12, kindness can pivot or shift someone's
(11:11):
entire outlook on life.
That's right.
When someone experiences repeated moments of care, especially
during difficult times, it can completely reshape their
worldview, and they may move from distrust to
openness, from hopelessness to optimism.
Kindness doesn't just improve someone's day.
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It can truly transform their whole story.
That kind of change doesn't require superpowers.
It just requires you to have an honest,
pure heart with awareness and a willing desire
to act.
I think sometimes we all get caught up
in this boat where, how is it going
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to help me?
Let's stop worrying about how it's going to
help me and let's do some good for
the world.
Here's the part of the show I really
love.
I love the whole show, but I love
this part especially.
I'm going to give you a personal lesson
or story for each point tonight.
I'm hoping that it will solidify what we've
(12:19):
talked about and will get you to want
to take some action.
Now, I know you're probably saying, John, I
do enough.
Well, the thing is this, when you start
to be that conduit, when you start to
be that light of kindness, do you know
(12:41):
what happens?
Other people will reward you in kind.
Now, when I'm kind to people, I don't
do it because I'm looking to get something.
I do it because I generally enjoy making
(13:01):
people feel good, treating people the right manner.
I know what it was like when I
was younger and people didn't, let's say, treat
me in the best ways, but I'm not
here to complain about that.
I'm here to make the world a better
place today.
So a smile can lift a stranger's whole
(13:23):
day.
I remember once walking through a busy airport
after a long, stressful week of back-to
-back meetings.
As I passed the janitor, I offered a
warm smile.
He looked surprised and then lit up with
a huge grin in return.
A few minutes later, I saw him smiling
and greeting others with a spring in his
step.
That smile, very simple, which it was for
(13:44):
me to elicit, created a spark that seemed
to spread.
You know what else I do?
When I get off the plane at United
and there's the people on the plane cleaning
up the plane, I acknowledge them.
Have a great day.
Have a great day, guys.
Have a great day, ladies.
And when I get to the pilot and
the steward staff, have a great day.
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Thank you for a great flight.
Amazing flight.
And even the people getting off the jetway,
hey, thank you so much.
Have a great day.
Oh, you too.
And you know what?
Each and every one of those people always
says you too.
Thank you and you too.
See, that moment taught me that even when
we feel drained, choosing kindness can refill someone
(14:26):
else's emotional tank.
And in doing so, it often fills our
own tank.
Smiles are more than expressions, guys.
They're signals of humanity and true connection.
Number two, kind words.
Kind words echo longer than we ever realize.
Years later, I was speaking at a local
(14:48):
business meetup.
After my talk, a young entrepreneur approached me
and said, your words gave me hope when
I was about to quit.
I didn't even remember what I had said
specifically, but it had clearly stuck with him.
Kindness through words doesn't require poetic speeches, just
sincerity.
We may forget what we say, but those
(15:11):
we speak to might carry our words with
them for a lifetime.
And he was at a conference of mine
about a year before, and he was on
the fence about giving up school, giving up
college.
And after hearing whatever I said that night,
or that day, he decided to stick with
it.
And he said he was so glad that
(15:31):
he did, and he owed it all to
me.
And I was like, I'm very grateful.
Thank you for coming.
I'm glad that I was able to inspire
you.
One helpful act inspires another, like this chain
reaction.
I once saw someone struggling to get their
grocery cart through the snow.
I helped push it to their car.
They smiled and said, I'll help someone else
(15:53):
today because of you.
That moment rippled in me and made me
just feel so electric.
Helping others isn't about recognition, guys.
It's about showing what's possible.
When someone receives help, they feel inspired to
pay it forward.
And that's how kindness becomes culture.
Kindness lowers stress for both the giver and
(16:15):
the receiver.
During a chaotic deadline week, I paused to
bring coffee to a colleague who was visibly
overwhelmed.
His whole demeanor had changed.
His shoulders relaxed and smile returned just from
a little cup of coffee.
Interestingly enough, I noticed my stress melt away
(16:36):
too.
Giving kindness truly is a two-way therapy
session.
It centers you, it grounds you, and it
reminds you what matters most.
You see, it spreads and people pass it
on naturally, like magic.
I once paid for the coffee of the
person behind me in line.
(16:57):
Later that day, someone held the door for
me and said, pay it forward.
And it came full circle in just hours.
Karma really does exist.
When people witness or receive kindness, it activates
a desire to replicate it, like a smile
or yawn.
Kindness is catchy.
It's contagious.
(17:18):
So let your kindness be seen.
You never know who really needed that gesture.
A friend once told me the small note
I had left for them saying, I believe
in you, had stopped them from quitting their
job during a tough time.
You rarely know someone's internal battle or the
(17:41):
challenges they're going through with themselves or their
family or their friends.
Small gestures and kind are often the exact
medicines someone didn't know that they actually needed.
Be generous with your compassion and you're going
to be very amazed with the results.
Kindness builds trust in communities.
During a storm, neighbors helped us clear branches
(18:04):
from our driveway.
We didn't speak often before, but after that
shared kindness, we became friends.
Kindness is how neighborhoods evolve into communities.
Trust and safety grows in the soil of
small daily gestures.
And over time, those roots deepen.
(18:27):
Small moments often leave the biggest impact.
A child once handed me basically a flower
from their garden and said, for you.
And that memory has stayed with me for
years.
It cost them nothing, but it meant everything
to them.
And I was very grateful.
(18:48):
So when somebody gives you a gift, regardless
of whether it's the gift you want or
not, the fact that they took that step
to do it, we should be really kind
and grateful that they did do that because
the act is really what's important, not the
gift.
Life isn't made of epic moments, okay?
(19:08):
It's shaped by the tiny ones that reveal
love and care.
Never underestimate a seemingly small act.
It may just echo forever in your life
and maybe someone else's.
A little help can prevent someone from giving
up, as I mentioned.
In college, I was close to having a
challenge with a course.
A professor had pulled me aside, offered me
(19:29):
encouragement, and even gave me some extra help.
That course was one because of some of
the challenges I was going through in school.
I might have failed it, but because he
took me aside and he offered me some
encouragement that you know the work and he
offered me some extra help, that saved my
(19:50):
GPA, my motivation, and it kept me on
track to becoming an engineer.
Sometimes the smallest boost can keep someone afloat.
You don't need to rescue them.
You just need to remind them they're not
alone.
Children model kindness they witness.
My relative once gave her classmate a sticker
(20:13):
after seeing me thank a cashier kindly.
Her teacher later told us that it helped
calm a tense moment in class and I
remember in class when you know that was
a big deal.
I don't know if you guys remember this.
I went to school both in grammar school
(20:33):
and also in high school.
So, my grammar school first I went to
pre-k and then k through eight was
my grammar school and then grades one, well
freshman, sophomore, junior, senior was my high school.
Then I went to my first college.
Now I'm in my second college.
So, that's a very interesting thing.
(20:54):
So, we got stickers.
Anytime you got, I think it was a
B or higher, you got a sticker.
So, whenever you got this grade, you got
to go to the teacher and you got
to ask, he's like, oh, can I get
a sticker?
And so, I remember it was in our
math class and the teacher's like, you know,
anybody does gets a B or higher, you
(21:15):
get a sticker and anybody that gets a
B or higher, I've got these beautiful smelling
stickers and it was pretty neat.
So, you could have all different kinds of
stickers, but they were like, they could be
letter stickers, they were smooth and disperse back
then.
And when you brought the test home and
it had a sticker on it, you're really
(21:35):
proud of it.
And that was kind of like a little
mini celebration.
So, kids absorb kindness like sponges, so do
adults.
We model it with integrity and a frequency.
We raise a generation more likely to lead
with love.
(21:56):
And so, when we tune into that frequency,
I've talked about this before, when we tune
into that frequency, it already exists.
It just is allowed to play out in
our lives and others.
Encouragement fuels confidence, guys.
A mentor once said to me, John, you
were born for this.
(22:17):
Right before my first keynote, I was fluttering.
That sentence still fuels me today.
You were born for this.
COVID had been challenging for a while, but
recently I got back onto the horse again
and actually got my first speaking thing after
(22:37):
COVID.
So, I was really happy about that.
And I looked at my day-based culture
honorarium fees and I wasn't sure what I
should charge, but I had this gut inside
me of what I should charge now.
And strangely enough, I was within their budget.
So, we're still waiting for some final details,
but that belief is what got me to
(23:00):
take that step.
And so, when I heard, John, you were
born for this, that just made every cell
in my body light up.
When someone believes in you, hey, believeintheachieved.com,
no pun intended there, one word of belief
can light the fuse to a lifetime of
potential.
(23:20):
When somebody doesn't believe in you, it shuts
you down.
Remember I've said to you before, if somebody
says something and you like it and you
agree with it and you associate with it,
it's gonna make you feel good.
If someone says something bad to you, just
disassociate with it and it won't have an
impact on you.
It takes a little practice to do that.
(23:40):
So, kindness, ladies and gentlemen, can shift someone's
entire look on life.
I met someone, a man who was deeply
cynical due to a past betrayal.
After some consistent, simple kindness, greeting, sharing some
meals, listening, his walls slowly came down.
(24:02):
See, kindness can rebuild someone's broken view of
the world.
It doesn't happen overnight, but every kind act
helps them see light where there was once
only darkness.
You know, you can tune into the show
all the time here live, or you can
go to believeintheachieved.com to watch and listen
(24:24):
to Inspirations to Your Life, Gene Moore Tech
Talk Show, and many of my other short
form and long form content pieces.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to invite you
right now personally to become the reason someone
believes in good, in possibilities.
You see, our mind, not to get into
(24:46):
this because we're almost wrapping up, our mind
looks for what we tell it.
If we tell it things aren't good, it
looks for things that are going to make
it not good.
We tell it things are good, it's going
to try to find things that are going
(25:07):
to, let's say, with that premise.
I want to end on a very important
story.
So many of you guys know I run
different groups with events, and I run this
group in New Jersey that I've been running
for now over a year.
And we were doing this hike today, and
I have to tell you, I was saying
(25:27):
this whole thing about, you know, being accepted
and just talking, and it was just nice.
There's only a few of us there, but
it was nice being with this group and
being thanked for not only organizing this hike
and providing some goody bag things and some
water and whatnot, but just genuine kindness.
And we talked about how other people were
(25:49):
not kind to us, like that's terrible.
And I think we immediately made, well, let's
say a pretty good bond, that we all
respected each other, and that we all just
wanted to come together to help each other.
That left me so speechless.
(26:09):
And this kicked in about, the hike started
about 11.30 and it ended about 3
.15, 3.30. This kicked in around maybe
1.30, two hours into the hike, and
I started realizing that we've got to be
more.
(26:29):
We got to be kind to people.
I think that's important.
And when we talk about this whole thing
about the power to change a life, guys,
it's already in your hands.
You can make that difference.
(26:51):
And when you make that difference for someone
else, you know what happens?
It boomerangs back and makes the difference for
you.
I don't know about you, but I think
that's like the bee's knees.
I love putting out great content.
I love educating people.
(27:12):
And I have to admit, I love it
when people tell me that they enjoy my
content.
That makes me feel really good.
I know I'm doing a great job with
my content, but it's just when I get
to hear it from people, it makes me
feel so good inside.
Letting me know that I was the reason
for their change.
(27:33):
I was the reason for their positive change.
That's powerful, guys.
Really powerful.
And as I said to you before, kindness
can rebuild someone's broken view of the world.
It doesn't happen overnight, but every kind act
helps them and us see light where there
(27:56):
was once only darkness.
So our belief, ladies and gentlemen, in case
you didn't know this, it shapes our reality.
It shapes our reality.
Whatever we think, we become.
Not in 25 minutes or so, but we
do.
Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you guys have
(28:16):
a fantastic rest of your evening, and I'll
catch you real soon in a great week.
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