August 15 - Walking Smile

Day 226 of a year of Kindness

Lauren Dyer, ambassador #24, brings kindness on her walks.

Since I retired, I try to walk an hour a day along the seawall. I put on my earbuds and play K-LOVE radio, which plays a lot of positive music. I often stop to search for sea glass or take a photo (like this cool one of the rocks). 

But I always make it a point to smile and say hello to every person who walks by me. You never know what people are going through and I purposely do this every single time I walk along the seawall.

Some people say hello back. Some people ignore me. Some people give me a big smile in return. I think everyone really wants to be seen so I try to do that. I hope it makes a difference to them because it helps me as well. I always feel better after my walk.

Science of Kindness: Research shows that the act of saying hello to strangers can impact your mental health. These brief interactions can boost your mood, reduce feelings of depression and even extend your life. By incorporating greetings into your daily routine, you can create a sense of belonging and community. It also positively impacts the recipient. #kindness #kindnessmatters #kindnessisfree #sayinghello