Can We Have A Little More Kindness

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Aesop

Aesop may have written a lot of fables, but I think he went with the direct line on this idea so as not to make anyone think too much...

I was picking up a prescription at my neighborhood Rite Aid pharmacy this weekend. When I arrived, the pharmacy was closed for 30 minutes so the staff could have a lunch break. "Good for them," I thought, "too bad they can't get a full hour."

When I returned yesterday, I mentioned that I had been there and was glad they could get a break, even if it were for 30 minutes. The pharmacist and her staff laughed together and told me that I would not believe how upset their customers become when they are unavailable. One person banged on the closed shutters when she saw some staff behind the screen wanting them to open it up. Another insisted on speaking to the manager and telling her that this was a great inconvenience and that if she could not get her medicine, she would take her business elsewhere.

I told the staff about the sign in the front of the store reminding people that kindness is healthy. Research shows that being kind increases serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters responsible for pleasure. It decreases cortisol, the hormone released during times of high stress (like when complaining to the manager.) It also improves self-esteem and empathy and makes you a better person.

I'm not sure I understand why there seems to be less of it around lately, and maybe we need to learn more about how we can manifest it in our lives, first to ourselves and then to others. If you want to join me on a little journey to kindness, please comment or send me a note on LinkedIn.

#riteaid #resilience #kindnessmatters #kindness