Sweet Visits, Shared Stories, and the Power of Kindness

Sweet Visits, Shared Stories, and the Power of Kindness

Some weeks, like the one I recently spent in Vermont and Pennsylvania, leave you full in the best possible way.

Back in my office, I reflected all week on the whirlwind of speaking engagements, travel, and beautiful personal moments that reminded me, yet again, why I do this work.

Friendship in Motion

Let’s start with the kind of kindness that takes the wheel (literally).

My dear friend and fellow speaker, Jennifer Eisenreich, went above and beyond. After delivering her own keynote in Pittsburgh, she drove 3.5 hours just to spend a day with me in Hershey, PA.

In the middle of both our busy schedules, she carved out time. Not because she had to, but because that’s what friendship looks like.

We only had 24 hours together, but we made every minute count. We shared a cozy happy hour, curled up in our pajamas for a movie night, and of course, we couldn’t resist a sweet stop at Hershey’s Chocolate World.

Then, just like that, she dropped me off at the Pittsburgh airport and we were off in our own directions again. But I carried that visit, and the love behind it, all the way home with me.

It’s a powerful reminder: kindness doesn’t always have to be grand.

Sometimes, it’s the drive, the hug, the showing up when it matters. And in Jennifer’s case, it was all three.

Where the Real Magic Happens

Speaking at conferences is a great honor, and there’s always magic beyond the stage.

My engagements always involve sharing my story from a place of deep vulnerability, and what surprises me most, though it probably shouldn’t anymore, is how people respond.

They find me afterward, in hallways, over meals, and even in the ladies’ room.

They share their own stories, often tearfully, as if the dam has finally broken. These are sacred moments. They remind me that storytelling goes beyond being heard: it makes space for others to be seen.

I had several of these conversations, on my recent trip, and each one left me humbled.

They confirmed what I’ve always believed: we’re all deeply connected. The more we open up, the more space we create for healing, understanding, and, yes, kindness.

I’m especially grateful for the feedback I received about my Kindness Toolkit.

One participant shared, “This should be required for all workplace environments, everywhere. A basic principle of life!”

Another said it was “life-giving” and “filled my cup.” Words like that remind me I’m on the right path.

When Work Meets Life, Beautiful Things Happen

Before speaking at a senior living conference in Pennsylvania, I made a personal detour to Vermont to visit my stepmother in her Memory Care unit.

Being with her, then turning around to speak to professionals who support people like her every day brought new depth to my message.

That same week, I spent time with my wonderful sister, Nancy, just as my niece launched a GoFundMe campaign on her behalf.

I witnessed a flood of generosity from friends, family, colleagues, and strangers alike. The donations were one thing, but the messages of love and support were overwhelming in the best way.

There’s something incredibly moving about watching people step up for someone you love. However, I also saw how difficult it can be to receive: that tug-of-war between gratitude and guilt, between feeling worthy and feeling like a burden.

Fred Rogers captured it perfectly when he said:

“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.”

Kindness is a two-way street. We’re not just here to give, we’re here to receive, too. And allowing ourselves to do both, with grace, is a powerful act of courage.

Counting Blessings Instead of Sheep