Welcome back to the Summer Quote series of 2017! While I'm doing some prep work for future episodes and re-vamping things around the What If podcast, we're talking about some small nuggets of wisdom in the form of quotes. We started with Vince Lombardi and in the last few weeks, we're hearing from Maya Angelou.

Today, you're getting a quote that while true, just made me laugh. It's not the quote itself that's funny, it's Dr. Angelou's no nonsense delivery.

Here it is...

"If we don't plant the right things, we will reap the wrong things. It goes without saying. And you don't have to be, you know, a brilliant biochemist and you don't have to have an IQ of 150. Just common sense tells you to be kind, ninny, fool. Be kind."

There's an abundance of fools in this world and a definite lack of kindness. Be the person that plants kindness. I don't care what the others around you are putting out into the world, but you be the one planting kindness.

If you need a little inspiration, here are 6 reasons Bruce Cryer gives to be kind:

• Kindness lifts our mood.
• Sincere kindness triggers a cascade of health-inducing biochemicals in our body, at least 1400...it makes us healthier.
• Kindness interrupts the stress cycle in both the giver and receiver.
• Kindness slows signs of aging.
• Kindness creates loyalty in interactions and relationships.
• Kindness just feels better.

Because this is a short episode, I'm not going to elaborate on those. Just know that there are good reasons to be kind.

But, I shouldn't have to give you those. "Just common sense tells you to be kind, ninny, fool. Be kind."

How would your day change if you chose to be kind today?