Tackling Life's Circumstances, One Smile At a Time

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” – Jackie Chan

“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” – Harold S. Kushner

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” – Princess Diana

“Because that’s what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can.” – Andrew Iskander

“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams

"Be kind to each other. It will solve a lot more problems than you think." – George L. Rosario“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain

“I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.” – Neil Gaiman

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” – Plato

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” – Dalai Lama XIV

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” – Barbara De Angelis

“What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

“You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force.” – Pubilius Syrus

“Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” – Eric Hoffer

“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – Ronald Reagan

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” – Charles Glassman

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” – Bob Kerrey

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.” – Henry Van Dyke

“Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

“A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.” – John Ruskin

“The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart than balm or honey.” – Sarah Fielding

“Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” – Albert Schweitze

“Kindness is like snow- It beautifies everything it covers.” – Kahlil Gibran

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu

“Kindness is the sunshine in which virtue grows.” – Robert Green Ingersoll

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain

“Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.” – Theodore Isaac Rubin

“Kindness makes you the most beautiful person in the world, no matter what you look like.” – Claudia P. Rosario

“Kindness is always fashionable, and always welcome.” – Amelia Barr

“Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused.” – Tommy Lee Jones

“Kindness towards yourself in a world full of criticism is the most powerful way to heal yourself.” – Claudia P. Rosario

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” – Henry James

This is not a comprehensive or complete list. There are so many kindness quotes available for you to adopt as one of your life quotes. I've learned that all of them are born (directly or indirectly) from Bible principles. Many people profess that it should be the way we conduct our lives, exercising kindness towards ourselves and towards one another.

In a perfect world, we would have hearts full of kindness, ending senseless murders, crimes, violence, war, greed, indifference, and all suffering. In a perfect world, kindness would be at the center of every mission statement. Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world. This is why it is so important for us to fill our hearts with kindness daily before taking a step towards any other person; in our home, at school, in the workplace, in our churches or out in public.

This is a business consulting blog. Some may say that kindness is not necessarily a topic that belongs in it. To them I say that kindness has everything to do with this blog for professionals and leaders, and with all business related blogs online today. I would go even further to invite all bloggers, whether in business, politics, relationships, travel, fashion, motivation, sports, art, literature, education, etc. to exercise kindness at the center of their writing journey.

Businesses, when centered on kindness, will naturally create a giving environment. Team members, leaders, and partners will seek to outserve each other. This will lead to a more productive and more satisfying culture for all.

I've had the pleasure of spending the last few weeks as a consultant at AXE Trailers, a company that seeks to give to the client more than to the company's leadership. It is also a company in which the leadership gives and serves the team more than their serve their own bank accounts. The leadership makes sure that their team members, industry partners and clients are always on the receiving end of the kindness spectrum.

I've learned a lot throughout my years about this type of company structure. I've seen it be the difference between a business that thrives and one that struggles. I've seen it be the difference between a church that grows and a church that folds. I've seen it be the difference between a team that wins and one that is quickly eliminated. Kindness towards each other has to be a part of the organization's foundation and structure in order for it to reach its full potential.

Look at Gary Vaynerchuk. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest entrepreneurs to have ever stepped into the marketplace. Speak to anyone who has ever worked with, worked for, partnered with or simply met this man and all will describe Gary Vee as one of the kindest people they've ever met. Gary is an empathetic leader who thinks of the greater good of the team before he allows his ego to make life about Gary. His empathy mission is such a center in his life that he co-founded Empathy Wines in 2019, which giants such as Constellation Brands has already shown interest in. What is at the center of empathy? It is kindness.

I want to officially announce that GC Rosario Group is proudly a part of the #BeKind movement. I am asking you to join us in making it a point to be kind to one new person every day for an entire year. You don't have to wait until January 1st of the next year to start a New Year goal. Let's start this goal right now. I am publishing this blog today, but if you read it 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 years, 3 decades or 3 generations from now, start this on the day that you read it. Commit to "Be Kind" to one new person daily. Weather you give something of monetary value, or simply give someone a smile, I ask you all to join in the effort and give a little bit of kindness to someone new every day.

Stay tuned for more about us in the #BeKindMovement. And while you're out it, stay tuned for more about a kindness project we're working on, Rosarios Everywhere. You can follow the progress of this love project by following the hashtag #RosariosEverywhere. I promise you that the kindness from this project will overflow nationwide, world wide and for generations to come.

You don't need to make this a loud moment. A few years ago I decided to be kind to the guys at Dunkin Donuts back in Brooklyn. I purchased a coffee from there every morning, and I often rushed in, placed my order (medium caramel iced coffee with milk and extra caramel), paid and rushed out. I would always approach them with a smile, but I must admit there were times when I did very little to acknowledge the person serving me my coffee.

Then one day I made it a point to address the server by her first name (it's on their name tags). I said thank you Brida and smiled. Before walking out, I asked her how many people were working on her shift. I pulled out a $5 bill for each one of them and handed it over. I said thank you once again and I walked out. OK, so that cup of coffee cost me almost $30. Do I do this all the time? No. But it was a moment of generosity that felt good for them, and felt really good for me. It was an unexpected act of kindness that probably made their day, or week a lot better.

As I was about to walk away, she asked me to please accept two complimentary donuts as a thank you. I explained it was not necessary but Brida said she felt in her heart she should do it, so I accepted. When I walked out, there was a lady picking through the garbage for cans to cash in for a 5 cent refund. I asked her for her name, said hello, and asked her if she would like a fresh, untouched donut. I gave her the donuts and a $5 bill.She immediately walked over to an elderly gentleman that was sitting on a stoop, opened the bag and shared the donuts with this old man.

Kindness doesn't have to come in huge billboard moments and be televised for them to matter. A trip to your local coffee and donut shop can be the instance in which you can exercise your #BeKind moment. Be someone's blessing today and give them a reason to smile. 

You do not have to spend money. I went on a business trip to Hollywood California back in October of 2014. While waiting on the line at the airport to return back home, the TSA agent who was directing people to the security check point looked like she could use a little love. So I stopped, put my bags down, smiled at her and told her she had a beautiful, warm smile. I thanked her for making my trip back home an enjoyable one. Had she already done this? NO! She had a tired look on her face. Yet the frown on her 62 year old face became a smile. I handed her my business card (yes, I still used paper cards back then) and said, "if you are ever in New York, I would love to treat you to lunch for being so kind." I still had to go through the whole security thing, but walking with Agnes and speaking with her like two human beings for that minute and a half that it took her to walk me over to the front was great.

Agnes called just before Christmas the next year. She called to tell me her husband of 31 years had just passed away, and she thanked me for making her smile that day at the airport. It turns out that her husband was going through a difficult fight against cancer at the time. She said my compliment reminded her to smile more, and that her husband commented on her smile the night before he passed away. I never got to buy Agnes lunch, but did share many more calls with her in which we prayed and talked about family, life, work, her pet Frankie, and more.

Look, I am no superhero. Giving does not make me special. Giving makes me human. Giving makes me feel good. So go ahead. Be more human today. Be kind to someone. Smile at the person who gives you a hard time. Look for the "Agnes" or "Brida" in your day that may simply need a smile.

I started this blog with a few quotes. I want to finish it with a quote from one of my favorite people ever. I'm talking about Darryl Davis, who in my opinion is the best real estate coach ever (Darryl, I expect a check in the mail for that plug... lol). When I first met Darryl many, many moons ago, he used to end his videos and public speaking appearances with one very powerful line, "Designing a life worth smiling about." I can honestly tell you that he based that command on his deep desire to be kind to everyone he met. Darryl broke walls down with one smile at a time. Try it for yourself. Bless someone's day today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

George L. Rosario is a Brooklyn NY born & raised businessman & entrepreneur turned consultant. He started GC Rosario Group with his lovely wife Claudia. With over 30 years of service to the marketplace in NYC, George has relocated and been graciously adopted by the business community of South Florida. He now travels the country helping businesses and organizations thrive in today’s noisy environment. The post-Covid era forced many to close their doors, but also opened new doors of opportunity, growth and prosperity for innovative thinkers. George & Claudia Rosario help companies, businesses, organizations and teams develop the necessary skillset and plan of action to not just survive, but thrive in this new world. GC Rosario Group helps both secular and Christian based institutions meet their goals.