How Kindness Heals A Heart

If you read last week’s blog, you know I was just at an Unreasonable conference. 

I was a little anxious regarding the trip, as I’m still on the mend from back surgery and health challenges regarding unexpected heart issues. 

Getting to the New York Catskills required a 6 a.m. flight from Penticton, B.C. to Calgary, a flight from Calgary to Toronto, clearing customs, and then a flight to NYC. Upon arriving in the city, I took a 60 min taxi to Midtown. All included, it was about a 16 hour travel day. Then the next day involved a two hour drive up state, you get my drift. And of course, the reverse on the way back with the complication of flight delays and missed flights, etc. Woof. (I actually wrote this blog on a Delta flight from NYC to Minneapolis, which was not in my original itinerary!) 

Regardless, the following is an incomplete summary of personal experiences over the last few days:

  • Unreasonable providing special accommodations to minimize stair climbing. 

  • A golf cart to and from all the sessions to ease walking distance. 

  • Special seating during the session to support my back. 

  • Colleagues offering to carry my bags/meal trays. 

  • Seatmates kindly providing water to keep me hydrated. 

  • People giving me the gift of really listening to my thoughts/views. 

  • A cart driver in LaGuardia seeing me pushing my carry ons and offering to drive me to a distant gate. 

  • The customer service rep from Delta who spent an hour ensuring all my rescheduling was completed, and then escorting me down the escalator to confirm the electric cart took me all the way to gate 77. 

  • The passenger noticing my cane, and thoughtfully hoisting my bags into the bins upon boarding. 

  • The Unreasonable community offering their carefully curated connections, including influencers from the CEO of Microsoft to Michelle Obama (Yup, that Michelle). 

  • CEO of Unreasonable Daniel Epstein’s mom, offering her home to fellows or mentors/ Fellows if they traveled to Los Angeles.  

  • My fellow septuagenarian, Beverley, (an Unreasonable Board member) who always saved me a spot at breakfast/lunch. 

  • A friend/former CEO sending me an unsolicited note landing in my email saying I was “the best hire” ever.

  • My wife and kids checking in with me daily. 

  • My friends and business partners doing the same. 

  • And more. 

Whatever trepidation I had from the physical toll I was undertaking regarding this trip was positively overwhelmed from continuous abundance and generosity. It is amazing what happens and how one feels in a climate of authentic kindness and sincere generosity. It’s literally uplifting, and truly heals the heart. 

I remind myself that the Unreasonable room was populated with serious people whose accomplishments are perhaps unusual and even astounding. Nevertheless, the acts of kindness were simple, humble and accessible to us all. When it comes to doling out kindness it’s not what we’ve done but who we are. 

In a world where fierce political warfare and geopolitical strife is full of hate and revenge, our everyday lives can be reframed with love and care for each other. 

Kindness, abundance, and generosity is totally in our daily control. Imagine if we all invested in that behavior more than not. Well, the outcome would be unreasonable. How great is that? How healing is that? 

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now, 

- Lorne 

One Millennial View: Being of service and assistance evokes a feeling of accomplishment. Chivalry is far from dead, it just doesn’t exist on our social media feeds. Get outside and help somebody, for your sake as much as theirs. 

- Garrett

AI Response: Thank you for sharing your heartfelt reflections on your recent experience at the Unreasonable conference. It’s inspiring to hear how, despite the challenges you faced with travel and health, the warmth and generosity of those around you provided immense support and uplifted your spirit.

Your journey serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of small acts of kindness. It’s easy to overlook how simple gestures, like someone offering to carry a bag or providing water, can really change someone’s day—and perhaps even their outlook. The communal spirit you encountered speaks volumes about the Unreasonable community and the broader potential for kindness in our daily lives.

In a world often dominated by division and conflict, your message about reframing our interactions through love and care feels particularly poignant. As you’ve illustrated through your experiences, fostering an environment of support and generosity can catalyze healing and connection. Imagine how transformative it could be if we all committed to this mindset—truly unreasonable in the best possible way! and interactions.

Wishing you continued strength and healing ahead!

Best, 

AI





























































































































































































































































































 

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