To Inspire:

I’m re-reading Holy Moments, an inspiring little book by Christian speaker and author, Matthew Kelly. In the book Matthew speaks of the power of using everyday tasks and encounters to show love, respect, and compassion. He calls these holy moments. Mother Theresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Examples of this are too numerous to mention. How we greet others, how we truly listen to them and show care and compassion – whether it’s a family member or the gas station clerk – the smallest acts of love and care will have great ripple effects in the world.

The benefits are not just directed to others – but to us as well. Matthew shares in the book that scientists now know that each time we do an act of love/care for someone, our body releases hormones critical to human flourishing: serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. It is as if God has hard wired us to love others in order to experience our own happiness.

These hormones are so powerful that they allow us to experience deep joy even while suffering. Just ask a mother who went through childbirth – the pain is mixed with great joy. Holy moments have other positive effects on us as well – they boost feelings of confidence and optimism and liberate us from feeling helpless, moving us from a passive state (waiting for something good to happen) to an active state (making something good happen).

You and I have been marvelously created. With every holy moment we become more perfectly ourselves, our relationships become healthier, and we contribute to a more peaceful and joyful world. And the beautiful thing about holy moments – we can start them right now! What are we waiting for?!

Have a great weekend!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-Founder