“Simple kindness to one’s self and all that lives is the most powerful transformational force of all.” David R. Hawkins

As I left the hotel conference room for a quick lunch between speakers, I pushed open the door leading to the hallway outside and saw the keynote speaker’s five year old daughter, Lindsay, standing a few feet away, tears streaming down her face.

I immediately rushed to her, both out of compassion for her distress, and concern for her safety, standing alone in a hotel hallway surrounded by strangers.

Kneeling down and putting my arms around Lindsay I asked why she was crying.

“I…miss…my…mommy…,” she hiccuped through her sobs. Awww, my heart melted at her forlorn little face and I hugged her a bit tighter, hoping to comfort and reassure her. As a mother myself, I’m deeply touched by and protective of children and usually the first one to help when they’re distressed.

“Your mommy hasn’t gone anywhere, Sweetheart. She’s just inside that room,” I said as I pointed at the door to the conference room I’d just left.

I knew where her mother, Brittany, was because I’d seen her talking with her young daughter’s nanny; apparently neither of them noticed the little girl slip out of the conference room and into the hallway. I also knew the nanny stayed with the girl in their hotel room while her mother ran the conference, and only brought her out during breaks, so Lindsay’s longing for her mother was intense.

“Let’s go see your mommy now,” I said. I took Lindsay’s hand and stood up, leading her to the conference room. As I opened the door, she spotted Brittany and ran to her crying, arms reaching up to be held.

As I explained where I found Lindsay, Brittany hugged and tried to calm her after their  frightening separation.

Reassured that all was well, I walked back out into the hallway, suddenly aware of an intense love and openness I felt in my heart–I mean, I literally, physically felt my heart open and fill with a huge rush of love.

“Wow! What does this mean?” I thought. “Am I feeling proud of helping Lindsay, or love for her or me or Brittany…or what?”

As I walked through the hotel lobby and out into the sunshine, I continued reflecting on my feelings. All I knew was that helping sweet little Lindsay and her mom felt really, really good…in my heart.

As I sorted through the possible reasons why my heart felt so full and happy, I realized it didn’t stem from pride at being a Good Samaritan; I felt deeply, sweetly “good” because I used love for another to nurture and comfort and got love back in Lindsay’s and Brittany’s gratitude.

Amazing, how an act of kindness connected me to the love in my heart and theirs.

Not so amazing really, because kindness is love is kindness is love is kindness is love….