The Power Of Kindness

Your superpower is becoming more powerful by the day!

Story time for a second….

Around 6 months ago, a new member of staff started working at the checkout at my  local Co-Op. He stood out instantly with his chatty, pleasant demeanour. 

While waiting in the queue, I often heard him chatting politely with the customers. I noticed how he always made the effort to make each customer feel seen and appreciated. From the elderly buying their newspapers to the overwhelmed mums in the after school rush, trying to juggle 2 kids, a buggy and 4 frozen pizzas. 

His friendly and quite frankly impressive customer service stood out after years of the usual barely-speaking checkout staff that normally wouldn’t even make eye contact, as they scanned your items. 

So, last Friday when I popped into the Co-Op at around 5pm to pick up a few bits, it surprised me when he was far from his usual self. 

He hadn’t just regressed to the monosyllabic grunts and greetings of his colleagues, (that would have been noticeable but I guess understandable after 6 months there). 

Nope, he was ranting! 

Literally telling a customer at the self checkout to “stop rolling your eyes”, when it flagged up his wine purchase. Followed by an ongoing rant as he returned to the till about how none of us (addressing the growing queue), would want to work there. How it was a nightmare job and all the customers were ungrateful! Ouch!! 

Most customers stayed quiet with a look of amusement and bewilderment on their faces. Some, he served before me, actually tutted and consequently made his mood worse. By the time it got to my turn, I was quite nervous. 

He continued to rant as he scanned my ice cream and Doritos (it was Friday night ok?? 😂). And then as I held my phone up to use applepay, I got up the courage to speak, 

“I really hope your evening improves. I’m so sorry you’ve had a crap day. You work really hard. Thank you.” and I turned to leave. 

But.. the ranting stopped. He smiled at me almost apologetically and served the next customer. 

I’m not telling you this story as virtue signalling or to boast in any way, and apart from Simon, my partner, I’ve not shared it until now. Even then, it was just to say how the usually cheery checkout man seemed burnt out. 

I’m telling you, to show how in 2026, kind words hold more power and value than ever before. Why? Because they’re too bloody rare and rare things are more valuable aren’t they? 

Kindness has become a superpower - rare but more powerful than ever by those who yield it. 

The world is full of drama and rants. Opinions being sold as facts. Offensive and hurtful comments being justified by calling them “the truth”. Vanity metrics on social media, soaring over disrespect or moaning. 

Did you know that if a "LIVE" on Facebook gets lots of 👎 comments, the algorithm actually pushes it to a wider audience than if it gets lots of 👍? How bad is that?! What does that say about the modern world? 

And it can be so easy to replicate what we submerge ourselves in. Getting irate over situations that don’t involve or affect us in any way. Feeling irked by the slightest inconvenience in our day. Even taking the time to comment on posts that are literally none of our business. (Yes, the birth of online trolls starts right here). 

How many people did that poor checkout man have to serve, who treated him as forgettable or not worth a “thank you”,  to get him to the ranting shell of his former self that he became last Friday? 

How long had he gone without kind words to feel so unappreciated? 

(yes, many dog groomers can relate).

Kindness is even being SOLD nowadays, it's that rare to come across naturally! 

Did you know some coaches & online companies, literally sell subscriptions, where you pay to receive a daily whatsapp with encouraging & kind mantras to see you through your day? 

People are paying for kind words!! 

What’s gone wrong? 

That sh*t should be free. We should be sprinkling it like fairy dust everywhere. Free to give, free to receive. 

—-

So Karen, what’s the point of your Co-Op story and email? 

How does this affect dog groomers? 

Well, I’d like to ask you for something. 💝

Not for me, but for another groomer in our industry. 

Any groomer. 

Maybe someone you have an inkling, might need a bit of kindness sprinkling their way? Maybe someone who has stopped posting on her socials lately?

Or someone who ranted recently online and is showing signs of burn out? 

Or maybe someone that often stays in the background? Playing it safe? 

Whoever you choose. Get sprinkling. And hopefully when you need it. Someone will sprinkle some right back on you!! 

And if they don’t, store this one for a rainy day: 

“You are trying so hard to get what you want. And you deserve it all.  Trust in yourself. Trust in the process. Keep doing what you do. Keep being the best version of yourself, and it all works out.”