Kindness comes in many forms. Sometimes simply listening and showing interest is all it takes. I'll relate a simple story from daily life.

I was at my local Walgreens. I was standing quietly in line. I could feel the nervous energy from the guy in front of me. He was smallish sized, late 30's early 40's, white, not much hair, glasses, dressed nicely (a little above average for the area) and wearing a fairly heavy coat for the weather we were having which was around upper sixties in the evening. He seemed harmless. The cashier's energy was low and uninterested and no smiles. It was quiet in the store. The customer at the register was taking quite a long time. The customer behind me was a young lady with a phone stuck to her face. Her energy said stay away from me. I was simply standing quietly and taking it all in.

The younger gentleman looked at me and said "Hi". I responded with a friendly smile "Hi, how are you?" He began to light up. He was the next customer up to the cashier. He proceeded to comment on the good weather. I agreed. He then nervously begins to tell me of a faster than light engine principle. He cites Scientific American. I listen although not intently. I ask him a couple questions and find out 1) he tries to strike up conversations in public to bring light to this technology, 2) the magazine article is from several years ago and 3) that it's all figured out except how to slow down and stop. I wasn't particularly interested but he seemed very excited to tell me about it and I didn't have anywhere to go or do since I was standing in line so happily engaged in conversation with him.

He's up at the cashier now. I stand quietly. He finishes up and gives me a great big smile and says "you have a great night, sir" I said whatever I said expressing a positive sentiment. I get to the cashier and her mood and energy has completely changed. She's now smiling and happy. The woman behind me wasn't on the phone and I got nothing negative from her any longer.

The point of the story is that simple acts of kindness have long reaching ripple effects. The next time you're standing in line somewhere and it's your turn to go, let whoever is in behind you go next instead. Observe the moods of those around you changing. Observe how the line speeds up. Realize your kindness just changed people's mood. Realize those people will change other people's mood. Realize you have far more power over this world than you give yourself credit for. Embrace your power, use it, create real positive change in the world with little to no effort. I did little more than smile, say hello and listen to maybe 30 seconds of conversation from a stranger. I left knowing I had made the world a better place just by being present in the moment and listening. Anyone can do this at any time.