When we’re not really thinking about it, we might define kindness as being nice, polite and agreeable. But Bruce Reyes-Chow, author of In Defense of Kindness: Why It Matters, How It Changes Our Lives, and How It Can Save the World, looks a few layers deeper. To Bruce, kindness is a decision to use every interaction as an opportunity build up the people in our lives. Kindness takes courage, practice and, at times, herculean restraint, but it’s our pathway to healing, wholeness, and hope in ourselves and the world. It’s an adventure of discovery and rediscovery of kindness of heart, mind, spirit, and action.
In our conversation, we discuss:
- How to define kindness;
- Differentiating niceness from kindness;
- The importance of being at our best;
- Kindness as strength and courage
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ABOUT BRUCE REYES-CHOW
Bruce Reyes-Chow is a kindness enthusiast. A Presbyterian pastor, leadership coach, spouse of 30 years, and parent to three children, he has spent the past 25 years working with individuals and organizations helping them to work through conflict and change having to do with technology, race, relationships, religion, leadership, and change. He has seen most breakthroughs when kindness—the ability to see the humanity of the other and then behave in a way that honors that belief—is embraced, embodied, and expressed by all involved. Author of and contributor to books such as, But I Don’t See You as Asian: Curating Conversations About Race, Rule #2: Don’t Be an Asshat: An Official Handbook for Raising Parents and Children, and 40 Days, 40 Prayers, 40 Words: Lenten Reflections for Everyday Life, he now takes on what seems a most daunting task in today’s world of so much physical violence, dehumanizing rhetoric, and divisive rage-tweeting—the defense of kindness. Learn more at reyes-chow.com.
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ABOUT KRISTEN MANIERI (HOST)
Kristen Manieri is certified as both a habits coach and a mindfulness teacher. Her book, Better Daily Mindfulness Habits, will be released this summer. She specializes in: stress reduction, energy management, mindset, resilience, habit formation, rest rituals, and self-care. As the host of the weekly 60 Mindful Minutes podcast, an Apple top 100 social science podcast, Kristen has interviewed over 100 authors and thought leaders about what it means to live a more conscious, connected, intentional and joyful life. Learn more at kristenmanieri.com/work-with-me.
