mindTweak #10 | 21 May 2025
Last week, I traveled for work in less-than-ideal condition. Two nights before my trip, I ended up in the ER after feeling inexplicably unwell. The doctors couldn’t find anything seriously wrong—just an upset stomach. Yet on the day of my flight, I battled diarrhea multiple times at the airport. Not the best way to start a demanding work trip. I decided to pace myself, conserving my energy as much as possible.
By the second day, my stomach was still uneasy, and a mild headache had joined the mix. During a work visit to a local site, I met the leader there for the first time. As we exchanged greetings, he offered me a glass of ginger tea.
And then—magic.
That tea was exactly the “medicine” I needed. My stomach settled, and my headache disappeared. It was as if the universe itself had prescribed the cure.
Random kindness. I never mentioned my condition to him, yet there I was, in the middle of nowhere, handed the perfect remedy when I needed it most.
My First Lesson in Kindness Boomeranging
My earliest memory of random kindness goes back to an airport long ago (back when we still paid airport taxes at check-in counters). I was in finance, thriving in my career, and about to catch an early flight when I noticed an elderly woman beside me struggling to pay her fee. After the usual “No, no, I can’t accept” back-and-forth, she finally let me cover it. I never saw her again.
Months later, I was rushing through the same airport, dangerously close to missing my flight—only to realize I’d forgotten cash for the tax. If I ran to the ATM, I’d lose my flight. Then, as if summoned by the universe, a stranger appeared beside me. “Hi, I have some change—how much do you need?.”
I hadn’t even asked for help. Stunned, I accepted the bills, thanking him repeatedly.
When I told my best friend about my “lucky morning,” she said, “Maybe this was the universe returning the favor for that old woman you helped.”
That was the moment I understood what my mother had always known:
“Circle of generosity”
This reminded me of my mother, who always helped others—even strangers—no matter her own circumstances. No matter how much (or how little) money she had, she gave what she could. Once, before her overseas work trip, I gave her extra pocket money, hoping she would have enough to last several months until she came back. Instead, she used it all to help someone else. I was personally very furious because our finances were not in good shape at that time. I remember shaking with frustration as in that moment, her generosity felt like trying to turn “a grain of salt into an ocean.
But my mother, who believed so deeply in kindness, would always reply with her “answer”:
“But we’re still okay, aren’t we?”
And she was right. Even now, she’s surrounded by friends who deeply respect her—living proof that kindness never goes unrewarded.
It wasn’t until my mid 30s that I started to fully grasp my mother’s philosophy. Before then, I’d dismissed her as “that overly kind lady.” I knew kindness was good, of course—but I didn’t fully grasp how a stranger’s smile, an unexpected offer of help, or a small act of generosity could shift an entire day—sometimes even a life.
Random kindness has a way of touching our lives and returning to us, often when we least expect it.
That day, a stranger’s simple gesture through a glass of ginger tea healed me more than any doctor could.
With that kind of understanding, somewhere along the way, I began paying attention to the human side of things—the part beyond money and technicalities. After earning my CFA certification, I found myself increasingly drawn to understanding people – their thought processes, behaviors, and motivations.
The Quiet Currency
Since the airport moment – that’s how I remember it-, the circle of generosity, I’ve lost count of the “magic moments” where help appeared exactly when needed, often before I realized I needed it.
In today’s world, where numbers, winning, and “what’s in it for me” dominate, I’ve learned kindness isn’t a moral luxury. It’s a quiet force that transforms interactions, opens unexpected doors, and yes—even heals stomachaches with serendipitous cups of ginger tea
I’m grateful my mother’s lessons found me, however late. Because in an economy that trades only in profit, kindness remains the one currency that grows as you spend it.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned
Now, when unexpected kindness finds me—whether it’s ginger tea on a difficult day or directions when I’m lost—I no longer call it coincidence. In those moments, I hear my mother’s voice: “We’re still okay.” And I smile knowing that somewhere, my own small acts might be someone else’s miracle.
In our busy lives where everything seems to be about money and deals—where we’re always counting costs and benefits—kindness offers a different rule. It cost nothing to give but priceless to receive. And the beautiful part? It always returns—often precisely when we’ve forgotten we gave it.
The paradox
Yet this revelation came later: Kindness begins with self.
How can we offer sincere kindness to others if we don’t first show it to ourselves?
My journey has taught me that self-kindness isn’t selfish; it’s the source. Only when we nurture our own well-being can we genuinely extend that same compassion outward, creating those magical moments where a simple act becomes someone else’s lifeline.
Random kindness begins with self
hanygung
A “mind tweak” is about empowering you to see new possibilities and take control of your financial and emotional growth. It represents a small but powerful adjustment in how you think—helping you refine your mindset or approach to finances and life.
While these insights can inspire positive change, they are not a substitute for professional advice. For deeper emotional, psychological, or financial challenges, please seek support from a qualified professional.
