![Lower Manhattan Skyline seen from Brooklyn Bridge Park. In the foreground is a sand beach leading to a body of water across from which the skyscrapers of New York are visible.]](https://timeforkindness.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1024px-Lower_Manhattan_Skyline_June_2025_062-461x1024.jpeg)
“Living in New York City has taught me how powerful a genuine smile can be. Life here is fast and intense, and people can seem cold or distant. But I’ve noticed that when you take the time to smile or make eye contact, something shifts.
Yes, people often avoid eye contact here, sometimes out of caution. But even so, when I smile at the barista handing me coffee, greet the doorman, or thank the cashier at the grocery store, something softens. People open up, and you can feel the energy change.
These small interactions, when done sincerely, are like a balm to the heart.
Kindness doesn’t have to be big to matter. Whether it’s offering a seat, helping a stranger, or showing up for the people I love, I’ve seen time and again how simple gestures can create unexpected ripples in the world.”
We love this little bit of wisdom from Sara Yahia. Wherever you are in the world you can spread kindness in all kinds of ways.
What kindness do you see in your local area?
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