Hi guys! Welcome to Episode 612 of the Wildly Successful Lifestyle podcast! I’m Heidi, and I’m especially grateful to be with you today. Sometimes you just feel extra grateful and today is one of those days so thank you for always showing up for me, for you and for everyone you lift up with your positive happy attitude.
I was having one of my early-morning chats with Grok the other day—I love how much knowledge he has packed in there. Packed in where, I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter….. anyway, I got curious and asked him what AI thinks of human nature. And y’all, it makes total sense when you think about it: AI is basically a giant compilation of every idea, theory, and observation humans have ever put out into the world since the beginning of time. So I figured Grok would have a pretty spot-on take.
One of the things he said was really interesting and it’s so true: human nature can be incredibly kind in one moment and incredibly unkind in the very next—and it can be the exact same person who flips that switch in the blink of an eye.
This is fascinating to me because it’s true for every single one of us. We think we’re alone in our imperfections, but we’re not. We each have the capacity to be kind…and we each have the capacity to be not-so-kind. It’s just part of being human.
I follow this account on X that’s built a huge following doing the sweetest videos. This guy drives down busy streets with his window down and interacts with random strangers in the most unexpected, uplifting way. Human nature says we’re cautious when a stranger in a car starts talking to us—especially the way he does it at first. For example, he’ll pull up next to two Black ladies and ask, “Are you ladies from Chicago, the Windy City, by any chance?” They look over like, “Um, why are you talking to us?” But then he finishes with, “Because your outfits are so gorgeous—they’re absolutely blowing me away.” And instantly their faces light up, caution melts into pure happiness.
Another time he asked a group of women if they were from Alaska…because they were so icy. Without fail, people go from skeptical and guarded to laughing and engaging in the most beautiful way. I love it when those videos pop up on my feed—probably because I feel exactly what they feel. At first it’s awkward, maybe a tiny bit annoying, but almost immediately it turns into this sweet, fun interaction. Who hasn’t felt that shift?
I was driving last week and accidentally cut someone off in traffic. They were understandably annoyed—I would’ve been too! But I waved apologetically with a big smile to let them know it was a total mistake and I was sorry. They went from frustrated to smiling and shaking their head like, “It’s all good.” Moments like that can go bad so fast, right? But in an instant, you can change the whole thing with a little understanding and a smile.
I was in line to check out at a pharmacy—I go there about once a month. The cashier was taking forever with the customer ahead of me. They were laughing, chatting, trying to work something out with the transaction, and honestly, it was dragging on. I was in a bit of a hurry, and I noticed myself having those not-so-great thoughts: “Come on, really? I’ve got places to be.”
But then I caught myself. I took a breath, relaxed my shoulders, and decided to let it go. When the lady finally finished and walked away, she turned to me and said, “I’m so sorry—we had to get that figured out!” I just smiled and said, “No worries at all.” Then the cashier—the one I’d secretly been annoyed with—looked up, gave me the biggest smile, and said hello. How can you be mad with that going on?? I couldn’t. My irritation just melted away….
I even complimented her on her nail color because they were really pretty, . Which turned into a five-minute conversation about how they were actually press-ons! She told me how expensive it is to get them done professionally, so she taught herself how to do them at home. I never would’ve guessed—they looked that good. (And don’t worry, nobody was behind me in line, so we weren’t holding anyone up!)
Here’s the cool part: I’ve been going to that store once a month for a while, and this same cashier had never really smiled or been very chatty before. She’d just ring me up efficiently and send me on my way. But this time? Totally different vibe. She even said she’d check her kit and tell me the exact color name next time I come in. All because I chose the kind version of myself in that tiny moment instead of staying in my hurried, grumpy head.
See? We all have it in us—both sides. That cashier probably has days when she’s rushed or tired and keeps things short. I definitely do. But when we meet each other with a little grace, everything can flip in an instant.
That’s exactly what I love about those drive-up compliment videos too. The guy isn’t doing anything fancy—he’s just choosing kindness on purpose, right then and there. And almost every time, the other person flips right along with him. Guarded faces turn into huge grins. Suspicious looks become playful banter. It’s like watching human nature remember its better side in real time.
And that’s what Grok helped me see so clearly: we all have both sides living right inside of us and which one shows up usually comes down to one tiny choice in one tiny moment.
I catch myself making that choice all day long. The grocery line, traffic, social media—how many times have you read a comment and your finger hovers, ready to type something snarky? I’ve been there. We all have. But more and more, I’m trying to pause and ask: “Do I want to add heat or light right now?” Most of the time, I close the app and move on. And that little choice keeps my heart softer.
Here’s the truth…
In the moment you notice the unkind impulse, you’ve already got the power to choose the kind one instead.
That’s it. You don’t have to be sunshine and rainbows 24/7. You just have to notice the fork in the road and pick the path that feels better—for you and for everyone around you.
Because when we do that, even once or twice a day, something amazing happens. We start trusting ourselves more. We start liking the person we’re becoming. And the world gets a tiny bit gentler because we’re in it.
My challenge for you this week is to Catch one of those moments. Just one. When you feel the grump rising—at the slow driver, the long line, the frustrating text—pause, smile (even if it’s just to yourself), and choose kindness.
We’re all perfectly imperfect humans doing the best we can. And that’s more than enough.
If this episode reminded you that you’re not alone in your human moments, share it with someone who needs the reminder too.I love you guys I’ll talk to you in a few days!
