Your Legacy, Kind People Are More Successful Than Math Whizzes, and 21 Apples
Happy Take 5 Monday: 1 Kindness Quote, 1 Gratitude Thought, 1 Kindness Habit Idea, 1 Kind Act, and 1 Question for you to consider this week…
1 Kindness Quote:
“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” ~ Shannon L. Alder
1 Gratitude Thought:
Thank you for the opportunity to teach my children and grand children the value of kindness.
1 Kindness Habit Idea…backed by science 🧪:
I discovered a study that tracked kindergarteners from the time they were about 5 all the way until they were adults. It turns out that the children who were more friendly, helpful, and kind, grew up to be the ones who were more successful as adults. They were even more successful than the children who were better at math and reading 📚, but weren’t good at getting along well with others. So I’m thinking that means there’s hope for those of us who struggled with long division ➗, not to mention calculus. And I’m also thinking that, as parents, we have an opportunity (may I say responsibility) to help our children learn to be kind.
Kindness can be learned
The good news is, kindness can be learned. Scientists think that somewhere between 30-60% of our kindness is genetic, but the rest of our kindness grows based on our environment and our choices. Stanford professor, Jamil Zaki even teaches a course called ‘Becoming Kinder’, using things like virtual reality, meditation, literature, and just plain old-fashioned friendly communication! Zaki says there’s a huge need for teaching kindness. He says that research shows that 75% of Americans have less empathy than people just 30 years ago. And it has gotten worse over the last decade.
In a funk
I was starting to get in a bit of a funk knowing that we are less kind now than in years past. But then I realized that this is an opportunity in disguise! What if we decided that each of us could leave a legacy…..not the financial kind that we all talk about. Yes, those are great. But what about leaving a legacy of kindness. I really like the sound of that, don’t you? And you don’t even need a lawyer!
Legacy of Kindness
Maybe it’s not written up in a trust document or spelled out in a will. Maybe it’s more of a living, breathing thing….something you pass down to your children and grandchildren through your words and actions. Ok, they can’t use it to buy a fancy car or a new house, but if that study of kindergarteners is right, they will become more successful adults. And leaving a legacy of kindness doesn’t depend on how much money you have.
You can leave a legacy where your children and grandchildren not only remember you for your kindness and generosity, but they can learn how to pay that kindness forward in their own lives. It’s the kind of legacy that keeps on giving. In fact, it may just be a legacy that will change the world. 🌎
1 Kind Act….
Max Stolz was turning 21. It was a milestone birthday year and his Mom, Andrea was planning to give him a special gift….$10 for each year of his birth. But Max said his birthday would be more special if she would give his gift to someone else who needed it more.
21 Apples
Andrea had an idea. She got 21 $10 dollar bills from the bank and 21 apples. Then she gave a camera to Max’s brother, Charlie. When they spotted a homeless man, Andrea gave him $10 and an apple, and told him that her son, Max wanted him to have a gift for his birthday. The homeless man smiled into the camera and said, “Happy birthday, Max.” They stopped by a soup kitchen and handed out more $10 bills and apples and were greeted with a birthday chorus….”Happy birthday, Max.” Then Andrea and Charlie visited a pizza parlor and gave the owner $50, asking him to share food with those who were hungry to help celebrate Max’s birthday. “The pizza parlor staff shouted out, “Happy birthday, Max!”
Max celebrated the best birthday of his life by sharing his gift with others.
1 Kindness Question for you:
What legacy would you want to pass down to future generations? I’d love to hear your thoughts about a legacy of kindness in the comments below.
Visit Our Kindness Library
Want a little more kindness in your life? You can visit our library of articles by clicking here! Enjoy!
Check out our new Gift and Book Program
Kindness Magnet launched in April, 2021 and has become tremendously popular. I guess we all need a little more kindness in this world! A great way to practice a little generosity is through our new Gift and Book Program. I hope you’ll check it out!
Be sure to check out the new gift items….cute kindness baby clothing, a new Kindness Matters tote, and new children’s kindness books….in addition to the current items. Remember, 100% goes to support those in need.
I’d love to know what you think and get your suggestions!
May your week be filled with kindness. 💜
PS - I’m starting a new feature next week. Snippets of kindness that are going on around the world. I hope you’ll check it out and let me know what you think. See you then!
Happy New Year, Heather!