I went swimming this morning. It’s been a long time since I’ve swam lanes in an actual pool. It felt good.

Some of it was the exercise, of course. But what elevated my spirits early this morning came from the actions of others.

I hadn’t been to this pool in a decade, not since I lived in the neighbourhood. I didn’t have a pass, and the computer system was down, so I couldn’t purchase a new one.

Thankfully, the kind lady at reception told me not to worry and that I could enjoy the facilities today, free of charge.

Minutes later, a man in the changing room, who heard me at the front desk, mentioned that there have been some recent thefts from lockers. He told me that there are new mini-lockers near the front desk for valuables.

The lady at the desk didn’t have to let me in, nor did the locker room man need to tell me about the other lock boxes.

But they did. These two simple gestures have resonated with me for hours. I feel grateful and more generous to others. I am calmer in traffic and have been smiling more often as I pass strangers.

Sincere gestures, these acts of kindness are not only powerful in how they make others feel, but they’re infectious.

The energy of one simple act spreads outward like ripples on a pond.