This past July, I gave six keynotes in just three days for a school district in El Paso, Texas. And I met some of the kindest people with the biggest hearts. On the very first day, I was pulled over by a police officer named Ricardo Rodriguez because I had crossed a white line while merging. Instead of being harsh, he kindly explained what I did wrong, gave me a warning, and wished me a blessed day.
The next morning, I was out for a five-mile run before my keynote and ducked into a McDonald’s to use the restroom. It had a keycode on the door and said it was for customers only, so I left. An older gentleman who had been sipping coffee, clearly a regular, ran halfway down the block to catch me. “Ma’am, I have the keycode,” he said, and handed it to me with a smile.
Every single day in El Paso, I was reminded of the goodness of people. Not just in the keynote sessions, but in the simple, everyday encounters that left me grateful and delighted.
On the fourth keynote day, someone told me that a man in the audience wanted to meet me. His name was Mohammad.
The day before, his wife, Marina, had been in the audience. She snapped a photo of me on stage with one of my quote slides behind me, had it printed, and placed it in a picture frame. She was so moved that she sent Mohammad back the next day to deliver this beautiful gift along with a handwritten letter.
One line in her note stopped me in my tracks and brought tears to my eyes:
“May God take care of you so you can keep inspiring.”
I will never forget those words or the kindness behind them. They reminded me of something I deeply believe. At the end of the day, it is always about the people. The research, the strategies, the stories—they all matter. But what matters most is the connection we create with one another and the kindness we choose to show.
That picture Marina created from my keynote now sits on my office bookshelf. It is a daily reminder of the goodness in people.
Happiness research even backs this up. Practicing random acts of kindness is one of the fastest ways to boost both our own happiness and the happiness of others. When we extend kindness, it not only brightens their day, it also lights up the reward centers in our brain, creating a ripple of joy that circles back to us.
And kindness does not have to be complicated. Here are a few simple ways you can try it this week:
- Send a handwritten note or text to someone who has made a difference in your life
- Pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line
- Offer a genuine compliment to a co-worker or a stranger
- Leave a kind review for a local business you love
- Do one small thing that lightens the load for a family member or friend
Marina’s thoughtful gesture will stay with me forever. It reminded me that my work is not just about giving keynotes. It is about the people I meet along the way, the connections made, and the ripples of kindness that follow.
So here is my encouragement for you this week. Look for your moment to create a ripple. Because it is always about the people.
With gratitude,
P.S. Reply and tell me what random act of kindness you are going to try this week. I would love to hear about your ripple.
