When my son was in fourth grade (I remember this day like it was yesterday), he shared an amazing epiphany with me on the way to school, which went something like this…

A: Mom, I have a theory.

Me: What’s your theory?

A: Well, first I have a question to ask. When you see a glass partially filled with water, do you see the glass half empty or half full?

Me: I see the class half full.

A: That means you are an optimist.

Me: Yes, I am.

A: Well, let’s take that same glass and think of it in terms of kindness. For each act of kindness you do, you receive a drop of water. If you are really kind, your glass begins to over-flow.

Me: ::::sitting silent with jaw dropping to the floor:::::

A: If you are not a very kind person and you do mean things to others, you get a drop of water taken out of your glass. The more mean things you do, the less water you have until your glass is empty. If your glass is empty you have less chance of having nice things happen to you.

Me: :::still sitting in amazement::::

A: HOWEVER, if you are a really kind person and your glass is overflowing, the water from your glass will trickle into other people’s glasses, because Mom, kindness is contagious, just like a cold.

Me: Where did that come from, Sweetie?

A: My head

Don't just talk, listen to your childen -- you might learn something really special. :)