52. Choosing Kindness on Purpose

Kelsey

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Pleasant Spirit Podcast! I'm Kelsey, and as always, I'm here with my favorite co-host and husband, Kyle. How's it going, babe?

Unknown Speaker

Hey Kelsey, hey everyone. I'm good. I was just thinking about how, you know, sometimes the world feels like it's running on pure caffeine and road rage. Like, you ever notice how people just snap at the smallest things lately?

Kelsey

Oh my gosh, yes! I mean, I was at Starbucks the other day—shocker, right?—and this guy behind me was just huffing and puffing because the line was moving slow. And I kept thinking, "Dude, maybe you need a nap more than a latte." But then I wondered, like, what if he's having the worst day ever and I just can't see it?

Unknown Speaker

Exactly. It's like, we never really know what's going on for someone else. I mean, —how life just bounces us around, and sometimes people are reacting from a place of stress or pain we can't see. It's so easy to just react back, you know? But what if we paused and chose kindness instead?

Kelsey

Yeah, like, there's a difference between just reacting—like, snapping back or rolling your eyes—and actually responding with kindness. And honestly, sometimes kindness feels like the harder choice, especially when someone is, I don't know, being a total grump. But I think that's where the magic is. It's like, kindness isn't just being soft or letting people walk all over you. It's actually a strength, right?

Unknown Speaker

Totally. I think people sometimes confuse kindness with weakness, but it takes a lot of inner strength to stay soft when the world feels hard. It's not about ignoring your own boundaries, but about choosing to respond with compassion. And honestly, it changes you, too. Like, when I choose kindness, I feel lighter. Even if the other person doesn't notice, I notice.

Kelsey

Yeah, it's like, you get to walk away feeling proud of yourself, even if nobody else claps for you. And sometimes, that little act of kindness is the thing that turns someone else's day around. Or at least, it doesn't add more yuck to their pile, you know?

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, and I think that's the ripple effect. Even if you never see it, that energy goes somewhere. And honestly, it comes back to you, too. Maybe not right away, but it does.

Kelsey

So, let's talk about how we actually do this in real life. Like, what are some ways we can practice kindness on purpose? I mean, besides not yelling at people in the Starbucks line, which is a good start.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, I think it's about those little moments. Like, holding the door for someone, or just giving a genuine compliment. Even just smiling at someone, or being okay with letting someone take up the whole sidewalk—okay, that one's hard for me, but I'm working on it.

Kelsey

Oh, same! And sometimes it's just sending a quick text to a friend, like, "Hey, thinking of you." Or, you know, telling the barista you like their earrings. It doesn't have to be a big thing. Actually, I try to set an intention every morning—like, "Okay, Kelsey, do one kind thing today, even if nobody notices." And sometimes I forget, but when I remember, it feels so good.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, and I love the idea of not expecting anything back. Like, just doing it because it's who you want to be, not because you want a gold star. And then, at the end of the day, I try to reflect—like, did I actually do it? How did it feel? Sometimes I realize I missed the mark, but that's okay. It's about the practice, not perfection.

Kelsey

Totally. And honestly, even just thinking about kindness at the end of the day makes me want to do it more. It's like, the more you notice it, the more it grows. And hey, if you mess up and snap at someone, you can always try again tomorrow. Or, you know, apologize. That's a kindness, too.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, and I think that's a good place to wrap up for today. Kindness isn't about being perfect—it's about being present, and choosing to show up with a little more softness, even when it's hard. So, thanks for hanging out with us, everyone. We'll be back in a couple weeks with more good vibes and probably more stories about coffee lines.

Kelsey

Yeah, and maybe a few more Plinko metaphors, who knows! Thanks for listening, friends. Be kind to yourselves and each other. Bye, Kyle!

Unknown Speaker

Bye, Kelsey. Bye everyone. Take care.