A few years ago, I was lucky enough to enjoy a “date day” with my seven-year-old son where we went picnicking and hiking. We began the date by picking up lunch at Whole Foods. On our way to the entrance, we saw a woman sobbing and a friend over her shoulder tenderly consoling her. I sent her heartfelt wishes to ease her apparent pain a little as we continued inside.

My son and I did our shopping, then brought our groceries to the car. As we loaded our groceries and climbed in, I glanced to see the two women at their table. We were ready to leave when my son reminded me, “Mom, we forgot the syrup!” (I love this little human being – he keeps me straight!) “Ah yes, well, let’s go get it while we’re here,” I replied. And we both ran into the store to quickly grab it.

We ran so fast that we almost toppled the floral gal who was wheeling a cart of red and white freesias to the back room. Instantly, I knew what I had to do and why I was sent back into the store. My son and I looked at each other, and without saying a word, picked out a bouquet of white freesias for the woman we had seen earlier – I hoped the color would represent hope and inspiration for her – and a bunch of red ones for me (the color I relate to for heart connection).

When I walked out, I excused my interruption with the two women and looked at the woman who had been crying. I commented, “I couldn’t help but notice that earlier you seemed sad, so I just wanted you to have these. May you have a little sweetness in your day.” I could feel her heart melt as I handed over the white freesias. Her eyes welled up, and she gasped, “Oh, thank you. You are my angel today.” And we parted ways. A simple gesture. Indelible heart prints on both of us.

With no mention of what we witnessed and participated in earlier that day, my son and I enjoyed our date day of hiking. As we were driving to our home, he asked if I could drop him off at the back of the house and he’d meet me at the front driveway. “Sure,” I remarked. When I drove around, he was waiting for me with a huge smile. From behind his back, he pulled out a bouquet of green, sour grass with bright, yellow flowers and beamed, “Mommy, these are for you, something sweet for you.” My heart melted on the spot!

Kindness, for the sake of nothing other than giving selflessly to others, is by far the biggest catalyst for happiness and connection. From the neuroscience research, we know there are chemical releases of oxytocin from the brain to the body which fill the body with a sense of purpose and connection. According to Simon Sinek, a leadership expert and professor at Columbia University, oxytocin is released when we “receive, give, or witness the act of kindness.” Kindness truly is contagious.