Random Kindness

Leslie and Leslyn begin today’s discussion talking about Leslyn’s late husband, Harlan, and what his final wishes were. Her partner of 10 years did not want to have a funeral. He was a very connected individual with lots of people who were impacted by his passing in the community. Leslyn was faced with overwhelming disappointment when she voiced that he did not wish to have a funeral. Harlan’s greatest wish was to spread peace and happiness. He believed, as many do, that kindness is the seed to peace and happiness. So, Leslyn made a Facebook page called Harlan’s Campaign to spread his final wish. On this page, Leslyn challenged everyone to engage in an act of kindness as a tribute to Harlan. By participating in an act of kindness, in honor of Harlan, she hoped this would help people grieve and do an act in remembrance of him. Leslie’s act of kindness in honor of Harlan was a $100 gift card that she gave away over Instagram. Leslyn goes on to say that Harlan was big into complimenting a person’s appearance as he felt if you could help someone feel better about themselves you could change the world.

Kindness indeed can change the world. For Harlan, a big part of his everyday life and motivation was to help someone feel better in that moment. Leslie and Leslyn share a video clip explaining what happens when you express or receive kindness. Serotonin levels increase in both the receiver and the giver of the act of kindness and even doing one act of kindness a day can decrease your stress, anxiety, and depression. Kindness has such an immense impact on people that even someone seeing an act of kindness taking place can fill them with the same hormone and they are significantly more likely to pay it forward.

Leslyn mentions the movie Pay it Forward where a social studies teacher gives his junior high class an assignment to change the world for the better and wants his students to put it into action. Leslie jokingly calls it the “World’s Best Pyramid Scheme”. The idea that one person can come up with an idea that can have a ripple effect that spreads throughout the world is riveting.

The idea of kindness is to be able to do something that will uplift things for another. It doesn’t have to cost money. It could be something as simple as saying someone has a nice smile. Continuing the discussion, Leslie asks what about kindness causes serotonin to start being produced? Leslyn states that the human condition requires a sense of connection. Happiness is elevated when we feel connected to someone. Knowing someone has paid attention, the person feels acknowledged and in some small way you feel that connection. From that connection, a surge of the serotonin hormone is produced.

Being aware of those around you and knowing that you have no idea what is going on in someone’s life should make you think more and practice kindness. The need to make that connection with someone even if you’ve never seen them before. Leslie sees it as acts of kindness being God’s way of using you in someone else’s life acting as a blessing in disguise. Kindness does not have to be a monumental thing; it can be a simple kindness as all kindness resonates with people.

Leslie and Leslyn challenge you, the listener, in celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17 to perform a random act of kindness. Leslyn encourages you to reach out to them and tell them how you were impacted by an act of kindness or even a story of how a random act impacted you. You are also encouraged to check out Harlan’s Campaign on Facebook. This week you are challenged to engage in a random act of kindness to raise your awareness of letting people know that you see them.

The burning question of the week is this: What do you do with a $100 bill you found on the street? There is no one correct answer, conversations could even help you understand the people in your life better. As always, you are invited to reach out t