Saturday, November 17, 2007

Making a Difference: A Chat with Random Acts of Kindness Guru: Matthew Costello

For those of you who have been following Make the Most of U for any period of time you’ve probably come to know that I am a big proponent of random acts of kindness and the role they play in lifting a mood, changing someone’s day, and impacting the world at large. Well, I gotta tell ya, never have I met a person who believes in random acts of kindness more than . Matthew has devoted his time and his energy to helping others create better days and to making a difference in this world by demonstrating one small act of kindness. With that, it is an absolute honor to introduce you to the man responsible for  and .

Pam: Matthew, please share a bit about the man behind  and .

Matthew: I am a simple, down to earth person, who wants to help change the world.

Pam: How did come to be?

Matthew: I was watching PBS Special, “The Power of Intention” Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way and he said something that jumped out at me. He was speaking about kindness and quoted a study that he read. I don’t re-call who did the study, however, scientists have found that performing one small act of kindness towards another actually raises the serotonin levels in both the person performing the kind act and the receiver of this act of kindness. Since psychology has always been a “hobby” of mine I starting thinking just how powerful this concept could be. Because I’ve been in the Internet business for over 13 years now, my brain automatically attaches a .com to every idea. I wrote some notes, watched the rest of the show, (one of many times, I might add) and later that day I registered the domain, www.onekindact.com. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but I wanted to get the domain, as I knew something good would come from this. After speaking to a few people about the concept, I put the site together and started to talk about it. What helped with the start was my other site, , which was about a year old when I started and from contacts through , as well as, friends it started to slowly catch on.

To be quite honest, this concept is not unique, there are plenty of great websites devoted to kindness. I just saw this as another avenue to spread the message.

Pam: If you could have three wishes come to fruition for what would those three wishes be?

Matthew: My first wish would be that a company such as , which was founded by Louise Hay and publishes a wide range of books in the Self Improvement and Spiritual categories, would get behind the site as a sponsor. That would truly propel this concept by leaps and bounds.

My second wish would be to get the assistance needed to help grow the site and the movement. As of now, it’s really just me working behind the scenes, but in order for this to grow we need a team of people dedicated to . Everyone from designers for the site, marketing, authors, etc.

My third and most important wish is that more and more people incorporate this concept into their daily lives. Just think of living in a world where everyone looks out for each other, does the small kind acts, such as, saying hello, holding the door for someone, the list goes on and on. What’s great about this concept is that it is so simple and requires such little effort, but when that effort is put to use it has the power to change the world.

Pam: What would you tell naysayers who doubt the power of participating in a kind act and the impact that it has on others and even the world?

Matthew: Simple, you have to do it and truly believe that one small act of kindness has a ripple effect far beyond what we can see.

Pam: What is your most favorite kind act?

Matthew: I don’t really have a favorite, as any act of kindness is great!

Pam: What's on the horizon for ?

Matthew: With the help of others we can make one kind act a part of everyday life! It will happen, I have no doubts, but when, I can’t say for sure. As Dr. Dyer would say, “detach yourself from the outcome and everything will arrive on time.” I think I’ll follow his advice.

Pam: Matthew, thank you so much for your commitment and drive to make this world a better place one kind act at a time. Folks, if you would like to join the team and help further this wonderful movement, please Matthew.

We can all make a HUGE difference one kind act at a time.

Posted by Pam at 2:29:43 PM in Making a Difference (5) | Permalink | Comments (13)

Comments

Pam,
Thank you for your kindness!

Make today a GREAT DAY!

Matthew

Posted by Matthew Costello on 17/11/2007

Matthew, you are most welcome. Thank you for all your efforts. They are greatly appreciated.

Posted by Pam on 17/11/2007

Pam, thank you for featuring Matthew Costello's great site! OneKindAct.com is a remarkable resource worthy of anyone's attention - or RSS reader. ;)

Best,

Jason Clegg
"Mindful Entrepreneur"

Posted by Jason Clegg on 17/11/2007

Pam,

Well done for interviewing Matthew! I know of him and he has got a strong will that is a conduit to change this world for a better one. Anybody that can help him from running his site to make it more known, would invest in their own future: his concept DOES change people's lives for a more productive one. Do we win against this world that the main news seems to show as, sometimes, doomed? You bet we are! Since 2002, it changes in an amazing rate and way for the better as so many more people seem to recycle themselves in a more holistic way of living by reading and acting on news like the ones Matthew does!

Ciao

Posted by Pascal Gillon BASc on 17/11/2007

I love that Matt said, "I am a simple, down to earth person, who wants to help change the world." From my view, Matt is an extraordinary, imaginative person who IS changing the world.

I've been trying to pay Matt's kind acts toward me forward ... but it's hard to keep up with him. His brain moves a million miles a minute and it's always on the same road ... thinking of ways to help.

Posted by julieluongo on 17/11/2007

I too agree with Matthew. I treat people with kindness no matter how mean they are,hoping that it would rub off. I know someday someone will see the light. I always say "treat people the way you want to be treated" My parents taught me that and intern I teach my children the same ting.

Alesia Sims

Posted by alesia sims on 18/11/2007

Jason, Pascal, Julie, and Alesia,

Thank you so much for stopping by Make the Most of U, and sharing your comments. It is so nice to see such great support for Matthew and his work.

I think what he is doing is fantastic! We can never have too much kindness in the world, that is for sure.

Alesia, kudos to you for teaching your children what you have learned. Thank you for setting such a wonderful example.

Let's keep that kindness flowing.

Posted by Pam on 18/11/2007

The comments left are a great example of the power of kindness! Thanks everyone!

Posted by Matthew on 18/11/2007

What a great article and a truly inspiring concept: one small act of kindness really can change someone's day. Here's to many small acts of kindness that together will make a difference.

Best of luck Matthew!

Posted by Jennifer Myers Robb on 19/11/2007

Pam,
Thanks for telling folks about Matthew and his positive websites. So much of modern life emphasizes negativity and brutality that one can literally become paralyzed with fear and anger. To be reminded that human kindness exists and can and should be expressed in the most simple of words and deeds is critical. And the thing is, no one person has a corner on the abiltiy to express kindness. We are all capable of it. In fact, today someone expressed their gratitude and thanked our company for what we do. On a gloomy Monday morning I was lifted up by that and I have the knowledge that we made a lasting and positive difference for a perfect stranger somewhere. Ripples reach all corners.
Thanks again for joining to spread this simplest of messages.

Posted by Renee Gladieux on 19/11/2007

Jennifer, thank you for visiting Make the Most of U and for your kind words. :)

Renee, many thanks to you for sharing your thoughts and your first hand experience with gratitude and kindness. It does make such a difference and it costs nothing. I am hoping that this holiday season is a time of gratitude and kindness for all. May we all remember that one small act does make a difference, and may we will be givers and receivers.

Posted by Pam on 19/11/2007

Pam:

Thank you for posting your interview with Matt Costello; it is a delight to discover such humane visionaries as Matt and yourself. Thanks also to you both for your ongoing commitment to making this troubled world a more habitable place.

Posted by Bun Gladieux on 20/11/2007

Bun, bless your heart -- thank you!! I really appreciate you stopping by and sharing. :)

Posted by Pam on 20/11/2007

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