Nov. 8 - Serving Up Kindness

Day 311 of a year of kindness

A few days ago, I spoke to a group at South Regional Library in Naples about kindness. I will often hide $5 under someone’s seat before a presentation. When it’s found, I have them describe the joy of unexpectedly finding money. Then I explain the science: the same brain chemicals that light up when someone gives you money—dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin—also light up when you receive a genuine compliment.

I also encourage people to receive compliments graciously. Because when you dismiss a compliment, it’s like tossing someone’s $5 bill on the floor. You both lose the neurochemical boost that comes from giving and receiving kindness. When you tell someone who has complimented you that they are wrong about your smile or sweater - you are stealing their money and their joy!

At that presentation, Margie found the $5. Today, she texted me a photo of the pumpkin pie she bought for her Bible Study group with her unexpected windfall.

“See how kindness multiplies,” she wrote. “Everyone enjoyed the pie.”Her message made my whole day. She gets an A+

Science of Kindness: Research shows that compliments trigger the same brain chemistry as monetary gifts. Accepting them enhances emotional connection and well-being and rejecting them disrupts the reward cycle. Sharing and amplifying compliments creates ripple effects of kindness. #BeKind #KindnessCounts #KindnessCounts2025 #kindness #kindnesseffect #complimentsmatter