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Hi Reader,

In 1931, Albert Einstein wrote an essay titled The World As I See It, in which he reflected, “A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of others, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.”

I’ve always loved this quote because, to me, it’s a simple reminder to be kind to one another, a value that for many of us we inherited from those who came before us.

I see this spirit in action every time I make my way across a city. I genuinely enjoy taking the train, bus, water taxi, ferry, or my bicycle and I choose them over driving whenever I can. Sometimes I even hop on themed buses, like the Karaoke Bus or the Love Bus, that run along the Art Circuit.

What strikes me every time is how often small acts of kindness happen around me. Someone offering a seat, saying hello or goodbye to the transit operator, helping with a stroller or a suitcase, or paying another passenger’s fare when they’ve forgotten their wallet or phone.

The one I love most is the random pedestrian cheering me on as I’m huffing and puffing up a hill on my bike.

Then there are the drivers. The train conductor who always toots the horn for kids on the platform. The bus driver who whistles reggae tunes through his daily route. The water taxi captain who tells me about his art collection during our choppy ride across the river.

Pass on kindness

Not everyone is in a good mood all the time, and grumpy people are everywhere. But if you look closely, you’ll see that kindness is alive and well, often right in front of us if we take the time to notice it.

When my day begins with someone offering me a seat or sharing a story about their grandchildren, my whole day feels lighter. That simple smile or friendly exchange gives me a lift before I’ve even reached my destination. I’ve noticed that feeling carries through the rest of my day. I become happier, more patient, and more inclined to pass it on.

Yes, we all know who the grumpy ones are at work, but sometimes there’s more beneath the surface. I once had a team member who always seemed on edge until she talked about her clogging dance classes. Her entire face lit up when she talked about it. Sometimes, all it takes is finding the right thing to say.

You can brighten your team member’s day too. Small acts of kindness within your project team can ripple far beyond the moment. A few simple ideas:

• Start meetings by sharing a funny photo or meme
• Bring an extra cup of coffee for a colleague
• Ask about a team member’s family
• Helping someone who’s swamped before they head out on vacation
• Offering a word of encouragement to someone struggling with a difficult deliverable

Look for small ways to spread kindness every day, whether you are on a bus, train, or encouraging someone up that hill. Even the simplest gestures can brighten someone’s day and create a ripple effect that goes far beyond what you see.

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