June 5, 2025 • 58 mins
Welcome to another empowering episode of Inspirations for Your Life. I'm your host, John C. Morley, Serial Entrepreneur and your guide on the journey to becoming your best self. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the ripple effect of kindness — how even the smallest acts can spark major change in our lives and the lives of others. When someone shows you kindness, it's more than a moment — it's an opportunity. An invitation. A spark to build something bigger. We’ll uncover how kindness, when passed forward, not only strengthens communities but also transforms individuals from the inside out. So, if you're ready to be a force for good, this episode will give you real-world insights to carry kindness forward — one act at a time. 💫1️⃣ Kindness is Contagious 🤝Kindness spreads like wildfire. When you're on the receiving end of a kind gesture, you're more likely to offer one in return — not just to the original person, but to others as well. It might be holding the door, offering encouragement, or just listening with full attention. These seemingly small moments can uplift someone’s entire day and inspire them to do the same for others. That’s the power of emotional reciprocity. And just like a smile, kindness is one of the few things in life that grows when you give it away.2️⃣ Passing It On Creates Community Bonds 🧩When kindness is shared, it doesn’t just stop with two people — it builds a web of connection. Acts of kindness build trust, reinforce positive behavior, and create a culture of compassion. Whether it’s helping a neighbor or supporting a colleague, each act strengthens the invisible ties that bind communities together. Over time, this leads to a culture where people look out for one another — not because they have to, but because they want to. That’s the kind of world we all deserve to live in.3️⃣ It Starts with Awareness 👁️You can’t pass on kindness if you’re not tuned in to the moments around you. Awareness is the foundation. It means noticing not only when someone is kind to you, but also when others might be in need. Sometimes kindness is as simple as being present — listening when someone talks, recognizing a tired cashier, or just offering a genuine "thank you." When you become mindful of these moments, kindness becomes second nature instead of an afterthought.4️⃣ Lead by Example 🌟Being the first to act with kindness can be powerful leadership. When you show others what it means to give without expecting in return, you set a tone that encourages empathy and respect. Leaders — whether in families, schools, or workplaces — shape culture through their actions. Your consistent kindness demonstrates what’s possible and gives others permission to follow. The more we model it, the more it multiplies.5️⃣ You Never Know Who Needs It 🌧️➡️🌈Everyone is fighting battles we can’t see. That’s why even small gestures of kindness can have a huge impact. A kind word might be the only positive moment in someone’s day. You may never know how much it means, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. It reminds us to extend grace and empathy freely, even when we’re unsure how it will be received. Kindness is never wasted — it always lands somewhere.6️⃣ Kindness Builds Resilience 🛡️Kindness doesn’t just feel good — it strengthens us. Both giving and receiving kindness boost emotional well-being, reduce stress, and improve mental health. In times of difficulty, knowing we are supported by acts of care from others makes us more equipped to cope, recover, and persevere. A caring community rooted in kindness becomes a safety net in hard times and a springboard in good ones. It builds strength not just individually, but collectively.7️⃣ Every Act of Kindness Makes a Difference 🦋Never underestimate the power of a single kind act. Like the butterfly effect, one simple moment of compassion can set off a chain of positive events you’ll never fully see. Whether you’re buying someone coffee, giving sincere praise, or showing patience, you’re
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:12):
Well, hey, guys.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It's great to be with you on a
Thursday afternoon.
And you know, we have an amazing master
topic this week, which is timeless principles for
living with intention and integrity.
(00:35):
And the granular topic for this afternoon is
a really, really good one.
When treated with kindness, pass it on to
build a more caring, I think this is
important to understand, to build a more caring
world.
(01:00):
And when we understand that, when we understand
that, you know, we're treated with kindness, we
can build a more caring community and help
instill what so many people are missing.
All right, guys, if you are new here,
well, welcome to Inspirations to Your Life.
It's great to be with you.
(01:20):
If you're coming back, well, welcome back.
It's always great to have people that have
been watching the show and want to come
back for some more knowledge.
If you're hungry, guys, and you want to
head over to the kitchen to get yourself
something delicious, maybe it's hot, maybe it's cold,
maybe it's a drink, maybe it's a snack,
maybe it's a piece of fruit, maybe it's
sweet, maybe it's tart, healthy or not, it's
up to you.
And then don't forget to check out BelieveMeAchieve
(01:43):
.com for more of my amazing, of course,
inspiring creations 24 hours a day.
Of course, not now, but later on.
That's BelieveMeAchieve.com.
Incidentally, ladies and gentlemen, I am John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, not only a podcast host,
but also a podcast coach.
And I think it's important that we embrace
(02:07):
who we are as people every single day.
And I know what you're probably saying to
me, John, you know, it's like, I get
this stuff, but sometimes it doesn't make sense
for me.
I don't feel like this belongs to me
or in my life.
Well, you're mistaken, my friends, you definitely are
(02:29):
mistaken.
So again, I want to welcome you to
another empowering episode of Inspirations for Your Life
and help you on this journey of yours
through life to become a better you, your
best self.
In today's episode, I'm going to dive very
deep into the ripple effect of kindness, how
(02:51):
even the smallest acts, ladies and gentlemen, can
spark major changes in people's lives.
And I think that's a very, very important
thing.
When someone shows you kindness, it's more than
a moment.
It's an opportunity, an invitation, a spark to
build something bigger.
(03:12):
And we'll uncover how kindness when passed forward,
not only strengthens communities, but also transforms individuals
from the inside out.
So if you're ready to be a force
for good, well, this episode's just for you.
And I'll give you the real world insights
to carry kindness forward one act at a
(03:33):
time.
All right, let's kick this off, guys, with
number one, and that is kindness is contagious.
So kindness is contagious.
Kindness spreads like wildfire.
When you're on the receiving end of a
kind gesture, you're more likely to offer one
in return, not just to the original person,
(03:54):
but to others, as it might be holding
the door, offering encouragement, or just listening with
full attention.
These seemingly small moments can uplift someone's entire
day and inspire them to do the same
for others.
That's the power, guys, of emotional reciprocity.
(04:17):
And just like a smile, kindness is one
of the few things in life that grows
when you give it away.
Number two, passing it on creates community bonds.
You might say, John, I don't understand this.
Well, listen up.
When kindness is shared, it doesn't just stop
with two people.
It builds upon this web of connections.
(04:42):
Acts of kindness build trust.
They reinforce positive behavior and create a culture
of compassion, whether it's helping a neighbor or
supporting a colleague.
Each act strengthens the invisible ties that bind
communities together.
Over time, this leads to a culture where
people look out for one another, not because
(05:02):
they have to, okay, but because they want
to.
That's the kind of world we all deserve
to live in.
Number three, it starts with an awareness.
And the awareness has to start from in
ourselves first.
You can't pass on kindness, folks, if you
(05:24):
are not tuned into the moments around you.
Awareness is the foundation.
It means noticing not only when someone is
kind to you, but also when others might
be in need.
Sometimes kindness is as simple as being present,
listening, okay, and paying attention when other people
(05:46):
talk, recognizing the tired cashier, or just offering
a genuine thank you.
When you become mindful of these moments, kindness
becomes second nature instead of an afterthought.
Lead by example, folks.
Being the first to act with kindness can
be powerful in leadership.
And when you, yes, when you show others
(06:08):
that it means this and the level of
importance it gives you, without expecting in return,
you set a tone or a precedence that
encourages empathy and respect.
Leaders, whether in families, schools, or workplaces, shape
culture through their actions.
(06:28):
Your consistent kindness demonstrates what's possible and gives
others permission to follow.
The more we model it, the more it
multiplies.
You never know who needs it, okay?
You never know who needs it.
Everyone is fighting battles.
We can't see with our own eyes.
(06:50):
That's why even small gestures of kindness can
have a huge impact.
A kind word might be the only positive
moment in someone's day.
You may never know how much it means,
but that doesn't make it any less valuable,
folks.
It reminds us to extend grace and empathy
freely, even when we're unsure how it will
(07:12):
be received.
Kindness is never wasted.
It always lands somewhere.
Number six, kindness builds resilience.
Kindness doesn't just feel good, it strengthens us.
Both giving and receiving kindness boosts emotional well
(07:32):
-being, reducing stress, and improving mental health.
In times of difficulty, knowing we are supported
by acts of care from others makes us
more equipped to cope, recover, and persevere.
The caring community rooted in kindness does, okay?
(07:53):
That's right, rooted in kindness.
That's important.
Rooted in kindness.
It becomes a safety net in hard times
and a springboard in good ones.
It builds strength, not just individually, but collectively.
(08:17):
That's pretty powerful, guys, right?
Collectively.
Number seven, every act of kindness makes a
difference in our world.
Never, never, never underestimate the power of a
single kind act or gesture.
Like the butterfly effect, one simple moment of
(08:40):
compassion can set off a positive chain reaction
of positive events.
You'll never fully see your experience if you
don't start doing it.
Whether you're buying someone a coffee, giving a
sincere praise, or thanking someone, or showing patience,
you're planting seeds.
(09:00):
You're planting seeds.
Over time, these seeds grow into a forest
of change.
Every act matters, every person matters, and every
moment of kindness you share becomes part of
something much bigger.
Number eight, understanding all this can be a
(09:25):
little daunting.
So, I want to talk about the next
time.
The next time you're treated with kindness, don't
let it stop with you.
Pass it on.
Not because you have to, but because you
want to.
Let it flow through your arteries, and veins,
and all of the muscles, and different components
(09:46):
of your body.
As you do that, you'll realize what kindness
is.
When kindness becomes a habit, it becomes this
very positive, euphoric, contagious culture.
Culture is how we build communities and lives
(10:06):
that we truly want to be a part
of.
I think some people, they think that if
they do something once, that's all they need
to do.
So, kindness isn't something you do, guys, just
for now.
Kindness is something you do over and over
again.
Why?
Because you want to, not because you have
to.
(10:27):
That's key, guys.
So, here's what I want to do.
This is that part of the program I
love sharing.
So, I'm going to give you basically a
personal story or lesson for each point that
I shared today, okay?
And I'm hoping this will get you to
(10:48):
transform into a new way of life.
Again, not because you have to, but because
you want to.
Again, you want to, all right?
You want to.
And so, when we think about want, when
we think about desire, when we think about
a craving, when we think about the fact
(11:08):
that we can be that magic bullet, the
one that nobody knew really existed, but we
can.
We can do this every single day in
our lives.
And when we learn how to do this,
it's like we've learned a new language.
We have discovered a new door, found another
(11:30):
pathway that we didn't even know existed.
We might've discovered a new language, a language
that doesn't celebrate people's wrongs, but celebrates the
growth and truth of others.
And I know what you're saying, guys.
Truth sounds great, sounds wonderful, but how do
(11:52):
we make it actually work?
I think the way we make it work
is we take on this concept that life
is a choice and how we choose to
embrace life, how we choose to move forward
with life makes the real difference.
Well, my first lesson is kindness is contagious.
A few years ago, I was at a
(12:13):
local diner on a rainy afternoon.
I saw someone pay for a stranger's meal
quietly and without any expectation of recognition, that
act just sort of struck a chord with
me.
The person on the receiving end looked completely
surprised and deeply moved.
The amazing part was moments later, I saw
(12:34):
that same person hold the door open for
an elderly man, then help a young man
carry his stroller down the steps.
All within minutes, that was the day I
truly realized how fast kindness spreads when people
feel seen and truly valued.
(12:56):
It's like striking a chord, a match, one
spark, and suddenly the whole room lights up.
Number two, passing it on creates community bonds.
Back when I first launched one of my
local networking groups, I noticed how hesitant people
were to connect beyond surface level connections.
So I started incorporating small kindness rituals, handwritten
(13:19):
thank you notes, shout outs during meetings, and
surprise snacks.
Over time, I watched strangers turn into collaborators,
even friends of mine.
Members started offering help, unprompted from giving referrals
to assisting with events.
That culture of kindness became this invisible glue.
(13:47):
It reminded me that when intentionality passes kindness
forward, you create a space where people feel
safe, valued, and willing to invest in one
another.
Number three, it starts, folks, with awareness.
I've said this before.
I remember being in line at a coffee
shop, seeing a barista who looked completely drained,
(14:08):
probably after hours of dealing with impatient customers.
I paused.
I looked him in the eye and simply
said, thank you for your energy.
I know it's not easy today.
His entire demeanor changed.
He smiled and told me it had been
a rough shift.
(14:30):
It had been a rough shift.
That's amazing.
And that no one had acknowledged him until
that very moment.
That moment stuck with me.
It taught me that kindness doesn't always need
(14:51):
to be a big stage production.
It just needs to be something that's truly
from the heart and about awareness and integrity.
It's about noticing people being present and responding,
folks, with heart.
Number four, lead by example.
(15:11):
When I was mentoring a group of some
entrepreneurs, I made it a point to start
every session with genuine appreciation, recognizing efforts like
not just the results.
After a few weeks, I noticed they started
doing it, too, acknowledging each other's growth and
being more collaborative.
One of them even said, John, I've never
(15:35):
been a group where I wanted to cheer
others on.
But here, it just feels right.
That's the power of leading by example.
When kindness becomes part of your behavior, it
sets a tone others naturally adopt.
Not because you ask them to.
Because it feels authentic.
(15:57):
Authentic.
Authenticity.
The truth.
The real thing.
You never know, folks, who needs it.
There was a day I was rushing around
between meetings and I passed someone on the
street who looked overwhelmed and anxious.
I simply smiled and said, hope your day
(16:19):
gets better.
I didn't think much of it.
But weeks later, that same person recognized me
at a community event and said, you don't
know this, but I was having the worst
day of my life that day.
What you said helped me not give up.
And remember, all I said was, hope your
(16:42):
day gets better.
That was powerful.
That moment was life-changing.
You don't know this, but when somebody says
I've had the worst day of my life,
and that day was definitely it.
(17:03):
And when they said what you said helped
me not give up, that story just floored
me.
It reminded me how often we underestimate the
impact of small gestures in our life.
Yes, you never know what someone is going
through.
But your kindness could be the reason they
keep going.
(17:24):
Number six.
Kindness, folks, builds resilience.
When I faced one of my most challenging
business failures, it was the support from my
kind people around me that helped me bounce
back.
A colleague brought over coffee.
It was actually a tea because I don't
drink coffee.
And they said, this doesn't define you.
Let me know how I can help you.
(17:47):
That act, so small, yet so meaningful, reignited
my drive for life, for passion.
Over the following weeks, I was surrounded, guys,
by kindness in emails, check-ins, and encouragement
that helped me find strength again.
(18:08):
It taught me that resilience isn't built in
isolation.
It's reinforced by the people who show up
for you when things fall apart.
Every act of kindness makes a difference.
Number seven.
Several years ago, I paid for a struggling
student's entry into a growth seminar.
(18:33):
I was hosting it.
I didn't expect anything in return.
A year later, he reached out and told
me that experience changed his life.
It gave him direction, helped him launch a
career in coaching.
And now he sponsors students to attend the
same events.
That was a full circle moment for me.
What felt like a small gesture at the
time became a launching pad for someone else's
(18:55):
life purpose.
Kindness works like that.
It echoes far beyond the initial moment, often
in ways we'll never really know unless we're
part of that situation.
And I think regardless of what age you
are, regardless of what background you are, what
(19:18):
hobbies you like, don't like, I think everyone
in this world wants to be treated in
a fair manner.
That's a pretty true statement.
But how do we elicit kindness when people
in our world sometimes are not kind?
(19:40):
That's not easy, guys.
I said to you that success is not
easy.
I also said to you that success is
not going to always be comfortable.
Remember, I said that to you.
And by saying that to you, I want
to tell you that it's really, really important.
Okay?
Really, really important.
(20:01):
And I want to tell you this right
now.
When you live from your heart, when you
live from pure intention, the possibilities in your
life, they're endless.
Endless.
So you might be saying something like, John,
(20:21):
you know, how?
How?
How do I start living a life of
kindness?
Well, there's many ways.
It's a great question.
And it's a powerful one.
(20:42):
Living a life of kindness doesn't require grand
gestures or waiting for the perfect moment.
After all, if you wait, someone once said
there's no perfect moment now and never will
be a perfect moment.
You have to make the perfect moment.
It's a conscious daily choice, one that starts
from the inside out.
Here's how you begin life's magic and living
(21:03):
with purpose, full of kindness and real intuition
and intention.
Start with kindness.
You can't pour from an empty cup, as
I've said before.
Begin by speaking to yourself with compassion, forgiving
yourself in the past for the mistakes you
may have made, allowing room for growth.
When you're kind to yourself, it becomes easier
(21:25):
and more natural to extend that to others.
Make kindness a habit, right?
Incorporate small actions, hold the door, smile, have
a thoughtful message from a stranger, or simply
listen without interrupting.
Set a personal goal, like one intentional act
(21:47):
of kindness per day, and watch how quickly
it becomes second nature for you.
Number three, guys, pay attention.
Kindness lives in awareness.
Look around who seems stressed, unheard, or overlooked.
Notice people, the barista, your coworker, your neighbor.
(22:10):
Being present and observant is the first step
to meaningful acts of kindness.
I think a lot of people don't realize
that they can make these processes.
These processes allow us to connect.
Pay attention.
(22:31):
Pay attention.
Notice people, whether it's the barista, whether it's
neighbors, whether it's strangers, your coworker, other volunteers.
Be present and observant.
That's the first step to meaningful acts of
kindness with intention, but you have to do
this from your heart, right?
(22:53):
You have to do it from your heart.
Number four, choose empathy over judgment.
I know in this world, everybody wants a
judge.
Before reacting to someone's behavior, pause a moment
and consider what might they be going through.
The simple shift from judgment to empathy opens
the door for kindness, especially in challenging moments.
(23:15):
I know you might be frustrated because something's
going on.
I know you might be mad because of
a certain situation.
That's no way to take that out on
someone else.
No way at all.
Use your strength to serve others.
Ask yourself this simple question.
How can I help with what I already
(23:37):
have?
It could be your time, skills, resources, or
even a listening ear.
When kindness aligns with your stress, it feels
natural and fulfilling, guys.
Not forced.
I think when something in our life is
forced, there's so much pressure to finish it
(23:58):
or to do it in a certain way.
I think that's hard for some people to
understand.
Number six is one of my big favorites.
Practice, practice, practice, guys.
Gratitude.
Kindness and gratitude go hand in hand.
Keep a gratitude journal or make it a
habit to thank people out loud.
(24:20):
Grateful people tend to be more generous, understanding,
and kind in return.
The question you might be asking me, and
we'll cover it in a minute, why aren't
people kind?
At the end of each day, ask yourself,
was I kind today?
Did I miss the moment?
Where I could have been?
This isn't about guilt.
(24:40):
It's about growing in awareness and realigning with
your intentions.
Living a kind of life like this doesn't
mean you'll always get it right, but the
key is to keep showing up with heart,
humility, intention, truth, and the desire to make
the world just a little bit better when
you found it.
I think that's a very, very important thing.
(25:01):
And I think as we think about all
these different things in life, right?
We think about the fact that we have
the world at our feet, at our fingertips,
but sometimes we just don't apply ourselves.
Maybe we're lazy.
(25:22):
Maybe we don't have the knowledge.
And if we don't have the knowledge, that's
also no excuse because you can always get
knowledge.
You can always become more educated.
When I talk to people every day about
life, they're like, well, John, you don't understand.
This is what I'm going through.
I get what you're going through, but what
you have to realize is you don't need
(25:42):
to be a martyr.
You don't need to be somebody that's like,
oh, what was me?
Or, you know, what are you going to
do for me?
Like, you know, I don't have anything.
That story gets old very quickly and people
are not going to want to hang around
your friends, your colleagues, et cetera.
So when we think about this phrase tonight
that the show is, let's say earmarked around,
(26:05):
when treated with kindness, pass it on to
build more caring communities.
That's important guys.
That is important.
It's so super important that I want to
tell you, if you cannot remember, your cup
(26:30):
needs to be overflowing with the thoughts of
positivity, of hope.
We talked about hope before.
Of hope.
Hope is pretty powerful, guys.
Hope is very, very powerful.
(26:52):
So the question you might ask me, and
it's a very, very question.
Why are many people not kind?
Again, that's a loaded question, guys.
A really loaded question.
Unhealed pain or trauma they might have inside
them, stress, and maybe being overwhelmed from many
(27:12):
things, relationships, finances, work, cultural or environmental norms.
Maybe someone grows up in a work environment
and their kindness is mocked, dismayed, or seen
as weakness.
They may suppress it to fit in.
Unfortunately, unkindness can be contagious too, especially in
(27:33):
competitive or toxic spaces.
A lack of self-worth.
You determine that, and that's not good.
People who don't feel good about themselves may
struggle to uplift others.
Lack of awareness or intentionality.
That's important, guys.
They confuse kindness with weakness.
This is especially common in competitive, and I
(27:56):
think that's important.
They see kindness as soft, when in reality
it takes strength and emotional intelligence to be
kind in a harsh world.
My final thoughts, which I think I want
to share with you right now, is this.
Unkindness is often a symptom of deeper pain,
fear, or disconnection, not just a personality flaw.
The goodness is kindness is teachable.
(28:17):
When you can become kind, the world is
your oyster, and everyone wants to help you
be someone that achieves their aspirations and goals.
I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieved.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
I hope you have a great night, and
remember, start being kind tomorrow.
(28:37):
Thank you, everyone.
Well, hey, guys.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It's great to be with you on a
Thursday afternoon.
And you know, we have an amazing master
topic this week, which is timeless principles for
living with intention and integrity.
(00:35):
And the granular topic for this afternoon is
a really, really good one.
When treated with kindness, pass it on to
build a more caring, I think this is
important to understand, to build a more caring
world.
(01:00):
And when we understand that, when we understand
that, you know, we're treated with kindness, we
can build a more caring community and help
instill what so many people are missing.
All right, guys, if you are new here,
well, welcome to Inspirations to Your Life.
It's great to be with you.
(01:20):
If you're coming back, well, welcome back.
It's always great to have people that have
been watching the show and want to come
back for some more knowledge.
If you're hungry, guys, and you want to
head over to the kitchen to get yourself
something delicious, maybe it's hot, maybe it's cold,
maybe it's a drink, maybe it's a snack,
maybe it's a piece of fruit, maybe it's
sweet, maybe it's tart, healthy or not, it's
up to you.
And then don't forget to check out BelieveMeAchieve
(01:43):
.com for more of my amazing, of course,
inspiring creations 24 hours a day.
Of course, not now, but later on.
That's BelieveMeAchieve.com.
Incidentally, ladies and gentlemen, I am John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, not only a podcast host,
but also a podcast coach.
And I think it's important that we embrace
(02:07):
who we are as people every single day.
And I know what you're probably saying to
me, John, you know, it's like, I get
this stuff, but sometimes it doesn't make sense
for me.
I don't feel like this belongs to me
or in my life.
Well, you're mistaken, my friends, you definitely are
(02:29):
mistaken.
So again, I want to welcome you to
another empowering episode of Inspirations for Your Life
and help you on this journey of yours
through life to become a better you, your
best self.
In today's episode, I'm going to dive very
deep into the ripple effect of kindness, how
(02:51):
even the smallest acts, ladies and gentlemen, can
spark major changes in people's lives.
And I think that's a very, very important
thing.
When someone shows you kindness, it's more than
a moment.
It's an opportunity, an invitation, a spark to
build something bigger.
(03:12):
And we'll uncover how kindness when passed forward,
not only strengthens communities, but also transforms individuals
from the inside out.
So if you're ready to be a force
for good, well, this episode's just for you.
And I'll give you the real world insights
to carry kindness forward one act at a
(03:33):
time.
All right, let's kick this off, guys, with
number one, and that is kindness is contagious.
So kindness is contagious.
Kindness spreads like wildfire.
When you're on the receiving end of a
kind gesture, you're more likely to offer one
in return, not just to the original person,
(03:54):
but to others, as it might be holding
the door, offering encouragement, or just listening with
full attention.
These seemingly small moments can uplift someone's entire
day and inspire them to do the same
for others.
That's the power, guys, of emotional reciprocity.
(04:17):
And just like a smile, kindness is one
of the few things in life that grows
when you give it away.
Number two, passing it on creates community bonds.
You might say, John, I don't understand this.
Well, listen up.
When kindness is shared, it doesn't just stop
with two people.
It builds upon this web of connections.
(04:42):
Acts of kindness build trust.
They reinforce positive behavior and create a culture
of compassion, whether it's helping a neighbor or
supporting a colleague.
Each act strengthens the invisible ties that bind
communities together.
Over time, this leads to a culture where
people look out for one another, not because
(05:02):
they have to, okay, but because they want
to.
That's the kind of world we all deserve
to live in.
Number three, it starts with an awareness.
And the awareness has to start from in
ourselves first.
You can't pass on kindness, folks, if you
(05:24):
are not tuned into the moments around you.
Awareness is the foundation.
It means noticing not only when someone is
kind to you, but also when others might
be in need.
Sometimes kindness is as simple as being present,
listening, okay, and paying attention when other people
(05:46):
talk, recognizing the tired cashier, or just offering
a genuine thank you.
When you become mindful of these moments, kindness
becomes second nature instead of an afterthought.
Lead by example, folks.
Being the first to act with kindness can
be powerful in leadership.
And when you, yes, when you show others
(06:08):
that it means this and the level of
importance it gives you, without expecting in return,
you set a tone or a precedence that
encourages empathy and respect.
Leaders, whether in families, schools, or workplaces, shape
culture through their actions.
(06:28):
Your consistent kindness demonstrates what's possible and gives
others permission to follow.
The more we model it, the more it
multiplies.
You never know who needs it, okay?
You never know who needs it.
Everyone is fighting battles.
We can't see with our own eyes.
(06:50):
That's why even small gestures of kindness can
have a huge impact.
A kind word might be the only positive
moment in someone's day.
You may never know how much it means,
but that doesn't make it any less valuable,
folks.
It reminds us to extend grace and empathy
freely, even when we're unsure how it will
(07:12):
be received.
Kindness is never wasted.
It always lands somewhere.
Number six, kindness builds resilience.
Kindness doesn't just feel good, it strengthens us.
Both giving and receiving kindness boosts emotional well
(07:32):
-being, reducing stress, and improving mental health.
In times of difficulty, knowing we are supported
by acts of care from others makes us
more equipped to cope, recover, and persevere.
The caring community rooted in kindness does, okay?
(07:53):
That's right, rooted in kindness.
That's important.
Rooted in kindness.
It becomes a safety net in hard times
and a springboard in good ones.
It builds strength, not just individually, but collectively.
(08:17):
That's pretty powerful, guys, right?
Collectively.
Number seven, every act of kindness makes a
difference in our world.
Never, never, never underestimate the power of a
single kind act or gesture.
Like the butterfly effect, one simple moment of
(08:40):
compassion can set off a positive chain reaction
of positive events.
You'll never fully see your experience if you
don't start doing it.
Whether you're buying someone a coffee, giving a
sincere praise, or thanking someone, or showing patience,
you're planting seeds.
(09:00):
You're planting seeds.
Over time, these seeds grow into a forest
of change.
Every act matters, every person matters, and every
moment of kindness you share becomes part of
something much bigger.
Number eight, understanding all this can be a
(09:25):
little daunting.
So, I want to talk about the next
time.
The next time you're treated with kindness, don't
let it stop with you.
Pass it on.
Not because you have to, but because you
want to.
Let it flow through your arteries, and veins,
and all of the muscles, and different components
(09:46):
of your body.
As you do that, you'll realize what kindness
is.
When kindness becomes a habit, it becomes this
very positive, euphoric, contagious culture.
Culture is how we build communities and lives
(10:06):
that we truly want to be a part
of.
I think some people, they think that if
they do something once, that's all they need
to do.
So, kindness isn't something you do, guys, just
for now.
Kindness is something you do over and over
again.
Why?
Because you want to, not because you have
to.
(10:27):
That's key, guys.
So, here's what I want to do.
This is that part of the program I
love sharing.
So, I'm going to give you basically a
personal story or lesson for each point that
I shared today, okay?
And I'm hoping this will get you to
(10:48):
transform into a new way of life.
Again, not because you have to, but because
you want to.
Again, you want to, all right?
You want to.
And so, when we think about want, when
we think about desire, when we think about
a craving, when we think about the fact
(11:08):
that we can be that magic bullet, the
one that nobody knew really existed, but we
can.
We can do this every single day in
our lives.
And when we learn how to do this,
it's like we've learned a new language.
We have discovered a new door, found another
(11:30):
pathway that we didn't even know existed.
We might've discovered a new language, a language
that doesn't celebrate people's wrongs, but celebrates the
growth and truth of others.
And I know what you're saying, guys.
Truth sounds great, sounds wonderful, but how do
(11:52):
we make it actually work?
I think the way we make it work
is we take on this concept that life
is a choice and how we choose to
embrace life, how we choose to move forward
with life makes the real difference.
Well, my first lesson is kindness is contagious.
A few years ago, I was at a
(12:13):
local diner on a rainy afternoon.
I saw someone pay for a stranger's meal
quietly and without any expectation of recognition, that
act just sort of struck a chord with
me.
The person on the receiving end looked completely
surprised and deeply moved.
The amazing part was moments later, I saw
(12:34):
that same person hold the door open for
an elderly man, then help a young man
carry his stroller down the steps.
All within minutes, that was the day I
truly realized how fast kindness spreads when people
feel seen and truly valued.
(12:56):
It's like striking a chord, a match, one
spark, and suddenly the whole room lights up.
Number two, passing it on creates community bonds.
Back when I first launched one of my
local networking groups, I noticed how hesitant people
were to connect beyond surface level connections.
So I started incorporating small kindness rituals, handwritten
(13:19):
thank you notes, shout outs during meetings, and
surprise snacks.
Over time, I watched strangers turn into collaborators,
even friends of mine.
Members started offering help, unprompted from giving referrals
to assisting with events.
That culture of kindness became this invisible glue.
(13:47):
It reminded me that when intentionality passes kindness
forward, you create a space where people feel
safe, valued, and willing to invest in one
another.
Number three, it starts, folks, with awareness.
I've said this before.
I remember being in line at a coffee
shop, seeing a barista who looked completely drained,
(14:08):
probably after hours of dealing with impatient customers.
I paused.
I looked him in the eye and simply
said, thank you for your energy.
I know it's not easy today.
His entire demeanor changed.
He smiled and told me it had been
a rough shift.
(14:30):
It had been a rough shift.
That's amazing.
And that no one had acknowledged him until
that very moment.
That moment stuck with me.
It taught me that kindness doesn't always need
(14:51):
to be a big stage production.
It just needs to be something that's truly
from the heart and about awareness and integrity.
It's about noticing people being present and responding,
folks, with heart.
Number four, lead by example.
(15:11):
When I was mentoring a group of some
entrepreneurs, I made it a point to start
every session with genuine appreciation, recognizing efforts like
not just the results.
After a few weeks, I noticed they started
doing it, too, acknowledging each other's growth and
being more collaborative.
One of them even said, John, I've never
(15:35):
been a group where I wanted to cheer
others on.
But here, it just feels right.
That's the power of leading by example.
When kindness becomes part of your behavior, it
sets a tone others naturally adopt.
Not because you ask them to.
Because it feels authentic.
(15:57):
Authentic.
Authenticity.
The truth.
The real thing.
You never know, folks, who needs it.
There was a day I was rushing around
between meetings and I passed someone on the
street who looked overwhelmed and anxious.
I simply smiled and said, hope your day
(16:19):
gets better.
I didn't think much of it.
But weeks later, that same person recognized me
at a community event and said, you don't
know this, but I was having the worst
day of my life that day.
What you said helped me not give up.
And remember, all I said was, hope your
(16:42):
day gets better.
That was powerful.
That moment was life-changing.
You don't know this, but when somebody says
I've had the worst day of my life,
and that day was definitely it.
(17:03):
And when they said what you said helped
me not give up, that story just floored
me.
It reminded me how often we underestimate the
impact of small gestures in our life.
Yes, you never know what someone is going
through.
But your kindness could be the reason they
keep going.
(17:24):
Number six.
Kindness, folks, builds resilience.
When I faced one of my most challenging
business failures, it was the support from my
kind people around me that helped me bounce
back.
A colleague brought over coffee.
It was actually a tea because I don't
drink coffee.
And they said, this doesn't define you.
Let me know how I can help you.
(17:47):
That act, so small, yet so meaningful, reignited
my drive for life, for passion.
Over the following weeks, I was surrounded, guys,
by kindness in emails, check-ins, and encouragement
that helped me find strength again.
(18:08):
It taught me that resilience isn't built in
isolation.
It's reinforced by the people who show up
for you when things fall apart.
Every act of kindness makes a difference.
Number seven.
Several years ago, I paid for a struggling
student's entry into a growth seminar.
(18:33):
I was hosting it.
I didn't expect anything in return.
A year later, he reached out and told
me that experience changed his life.
It gave him direction, helped him launch a
career in coaching.
And now he sponsors students to attend the
same events.
That was a full circle moment for me.
What felt like a small gesture at the
time became a launching pad for someone else's
(18:55):
life purpose.
Kindness works like that.
It echoes far beyond the initial moment, often
in ways we'll never really know unless we're
part of that situation.
And I think regardless of what age you
are, regardless of what background you are, what
(19:18):
hobbies you like, don't like, I think everyone
in this world wants to be treated in
a fair manner.
That's a pretty true statement.
But how do we elicit kindness when people
in our world sometimes are not kind?
(19:40):
That's not easy, guys.
I said to you that success is not
easy.
I also said to you that success is
not going to always be comfortable.
Remember, I said that to you.
And by saying that to you, I want
to tell you that it's really, really important.
Okay?
Really, really important.
(20:01):
And I want to tell you this right
now.
When you live from your heart, when you
live from pure intention, the possibilities in your
life, they're endless.
Endless.
So you might be saying something like, John,
(20:21):
you know, how?
How?
How do I start living a life of
kindness?
Well, there's many ways.
It's a great question.
And it's a powerful one.
(20:42):
Living a life of kindness doesn't require grand
gestures or waiting for the perfect moment.
After all, if you wait, someone once said
there's no perfect moment now and never will
be a perfect moment.
You have to make the perfect moment.
It's a conscious daily choice, one that starts
from the inside out.
Here's how you begin life's magic and living
(21:03):
with purpose, full of kindness and real intuition
and intention.
Start with kindness.
You can't pour from an empty cup, as
I've said before.
Begin by speaking to yourself with compassion, forgiving
yourself in the past for the mistakes you
may have made, allowing room for growth.
When you're kind to yourself, it becomes easier
(21:25):
and more natural to extend that to others.
Make kindness a habit, right?
Incorporate small actions, hold the door, smile, have
a thoughtful message from a stranger, or simply
listen without interrupting.
Set a personal goal, like one intentional act
(21:47):
of kindness per day, and watch how quickly
it becomes second nature for you.
Number three, guys, pay attention.
Kindness lives in awareness.
Look around who seems stressed, unheard, or overlooked.
Notice people, the barista, your coworker, your neighbor.
(22:10):
Being present and observant is the first step
to meaningful acts of kindness.
I think a lot of people don't realize
that they can make these processes.
These processes allow us to connect.
Pay attention.
(22:31):
Pay attention.
Notice people, whether it's the barista, whether it's
neighbors, whether it's strangers, your coworker, other volunteers.
Be present and observant.
That's the first step to meaningful acts of
kindness with intention, but you have to do
this from your heart, right?
(22:53):
You have to do it from your heart.
Number four, choose empathy over judgment.
I know in this world, everybody wants a
judge.
Before reacting to someone's behavior, pause a moment
and consider what might they be going through.
The simple shift from judgment to empathy opens
the door for kindness, especially in challenging moments.
(23:15):
I know you might be frustrated because something's
going on.
I know you might be mad because of
a certain situation.
That's no way to take that out on
someone else.
No way at all.
Use your strength to serve others.
Ask yourself this simple question.
How can I help with what I already
(23:37):
have?
It could be your time, skills, resources, or
even a listening ear.
When kindness aligns with your stress, it feels
natural and fulfilling, guys.
Not forced.
I think when something in our life is
forced, there's so much pressure to finish it
(23:58):
or to do it in a certain way.
I think that's hard for some people to
understand.
Number six is one of my big favorites.
Practice, practice, practice, guys.
Gratitude.
Kindness and gratitude go hand in hand.
Keep a gratitude journal or make it a
habit to thank people out loud.
(24:20):
Grateful people tend to be more generous, understanding,
and kind in return.
The question you might be asking me, and
we'll cover it in a minute, why aren't
people kind?
At the end of each day, ask yourself,
was I kind today?
Did I miss the moment?
Where I could have been?
This isn't about guilt.
(24:40):
It's about growing in awareness and realigning with
your intentions.
Living a kind of life like this doesn't
mean you'll always get it right, but the
key is to keep showing up with heart,
humility, intention, truth, and the desire to make
the world just a little bit better when
you found it.
I think that's a very, very important thing.
(25:01):
And I think as we think about all
these different things in life, right?
We think about the fact that we have
the world at our feet, at our fingertips,
but sometimes we just don't apply ourselves.
Maybe we're lazy.
(25:22):
Maybe we don't have the knowledge.
And if we don't have the knowledge, that's
also no excuse because you can always get
knowledge.
You can always become more educated.
When I talk to people every day about
life, they're like, well, John, you don't understand.
This is what I'm going through.
I get what you're going through, but what
you have to realize is you don't need
(25:42):
to be a martyr.
You don't need to be somebody that's like,
oh, what was me?
Or, you know, what are you going to
do for me?
Like, you know, I don't have anything.
That story gets old very quickly and people
are not going to want to hang around
your friends, your colleagues, et cetera.
So when we think about this phrase tonight
that the show is, let's say earmarked around,
(26:05):
when treated with kindness, pass it on to
build more caring communities.
That's important guys.
That is important.
It's so super important that I want to
tell you, if you cannot remember, your cup
(26:30):
needs to be overflowing with the thoughts of
positivity, of hope.
We talked about hope before.
Of hope.
Hope is pretty powerful, guys.
Hope is very, very powerful.
(26:52):
So the question you might ask me, and
it's a very, very question.
Why are many people not kind?
Again, that's a loaded question, guys.
A really loaded question.
Unhealed pain or trauma they might have inside
them, stress, and maybe being overwhelmed from many
(27:12):
things, relationships, finances, work, cultural or environmental norms.
Maybe someone grows up in a work environment
and their kindness is mocked, dismayed, or seen
as weakness.
They may suppress it to fit in.
Unfortunately, unkindness can be contagious too, especially in
(27:33):
competitive or toxic spaces.
A lack of self-worth.
You determine that, and that's not good.
People who don't feel good about themselves may
struggle to uplift others.
Lack of awareness or intentionality.
That's important, guys.
They confuse kindness with weakness.
This is especially common in competitive, and I
(27:56):
think that's important.
They see kindness as soft, when in reality
it takes strength and emotional intelligence to be
kind in a harsh world.
My final thoughts, which I think I want
to share with you right now, is this.
Unkindness is often a symptom of deeper pain,
fear, or disconnection, not just a personality flaw.
The goodness is kindness is teachable.
(28:17):
When you can become kind, the world is
your oyster, and everyone wants to help you
be someone that achieves their aspirations and goals.
I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
Do check out BelieveMeAchieved.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
I hope you have a great night, and
remember, start being kind tomorrow.
(28:37):
Thank you, everyone.
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