Feb. 27, 2025
A Smile That Changed Everything: The Impact of Compassion and Connection
In this episode, I share a deeply personal story from my time at a holistic healing center in Perth, Australia. This experience, influenced by my mentor Rayeleen, taught me the vital importance of discernment and the profound power of kindness.
A simple, heartfelt smile towards a stranger led to a life-altering moment for both of us, demonstrating the transformative power of empathy and human connection. This story highlights the core values of love, compassion, and kindness, and how these values can profoundly impact not only our own lives but also those around us.
Tune in for inspiration and a reminder of how one small act of kindness can change everything.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction to a Life-Changing Experience
00:35 – The Power of Kindness and Discernment
01:19 – Living in Heart Coherence
03:52 – A Moment of Connection
04:29 – The Impact of a Simple Gesture
05:42 – Reflecting on Values and Compassion
06:27 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Listen now to feel the magic of genuine human connections!
Hosted by Lisa Brandis—bestselling author, world-renowned Intuitive Reiki Master Channeller, and founder of Intuitive Reiki International—Connecting to Spirit is your space for spiritual insight, healing, and transformational growth.
As Australia’s first Intuitive Reiki Master and a Master of Masters, Lisa brings over 20 years of experience as a Reiki teacher, channeller, clinical hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, and spiritual mentor. Her unique approach to Reiki blends energy healing with deep intuitive guidance, empowering thousands of students around the world to awaken their gifts and create thriving, soul-led practices.
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WEBVTT
00:00:46.143 --> 00:00:54.814
I was reminded recently about an experience that I had many years ago when I worked for a holistic healing center.
00:00:55.154 --> 00:00:58.444
It was this gorgeous little community, down by the hills.
00:00:59.404 --> 00:01:13.203
Here in Western Australia, in Perth, and I know many of you would've visited that beautiful sanctuary and I call it a sanctuary because the woman that owned the center had the most incredible presence.
00:01:13.713 --> 00:01:21.153
She really was the epitome of love and first introduce me to what would then become one of my prime.
00:01:21.293 --> 00:01:25.224
Values, which is the power of kindness.
00:01:25.644 --> 00:01:30.203
And I remember her telling me once that she had learned a long time ago that.
00:01:30.453 --> 00:01:40.474
It didn't matter how powerful someone appeared to be or how much money they had, or whether they had been to university and had multiple degrees or diplomas.
00:01:40.623 --> 00:01:48.364
She looked to one thing and one thing only as an assessment as to whether she wanted to allow someone close to her in her life.
00:01:48.364 --> 00:01:51.573
And she basically used a tool.
00:01:51.573 --> 00:01:55.543
We call in spiritual, terms discernment.
00:01:55.724 --> 00:01:57.073
So discernment is.
00:01:57.073 --> 00:01:58.213
Different to judgment.
00:01:58.634 --> 00:01:59.743
Judgment says you're wrong.
00:01:59.743 --> 00:02:00.224
I'm right.
00:02:00.254 --> 00:02:03.433
Discernment says, Hmm, I'm gonna go in another direction.
00:02:03.433 --> 00:02:04.784
This doesn't resonate with me.
00:02:05.233 --> 00:02:19.484
And when we are looking at healing and raising our vibration, we are wanting to be in resonance with people and situations and experiences that align to who we are at the core levels.
00:02:19.484 --> 00:02:22.003
So in other words, aligned to.
00:02:23.038 --> 00:02:33.778
Our inner being and what I've discovered through my 22 years of deep diving into spirituality is that the core of who I am is love.
00:02:33.868 --> 00:02:46.348
The core at your center is also love, and in fact, everyone, no matter who they're and what they've done or what they've been through in life has this light within.
00:02:46.908 --> 00:02:48.709
That burns like an ember.
00:02:49.188 --> 00:03:00.229
And when we are tapped into our own heart and we are living in heart coherence and we are resonating with the power of love, and it changes people's lives.
00:03:00.229 --> 00:03:10.508
And sometimes it can be the small moments, as simple as a smile or just a gesture or just seeing and acknowledging someone, that can.
00:03:12.598 --> 00:03:25.709
Pull someone out of that chronic negative thought or lack of self-belief or even pain that they might be in either physically or metaphysically or even spiritually and coming back to that spiritual center.
00:03:25.709 --> 00:03:35.209
So I was working there and one day, I decided through witnessing my incredible mentor Raylene, who had.
00:03:35.913 --> 00:03:40.084
I not just told me about the value of hers.
00:03:40.084 --> 00:03:45.313
That was one of many, love being another one and compassion, she also demonstrated it.
00:03:45.313 --> 00:03:59.144
So it's one thing to value something, but it's another thing to be the epitome of it, she certainly did that and taught anyone who worked in her center or who even just came in to sit in the space we were in would always feel it.
00:03:59.294 --> 00:04:05.174
I remember one day I'd gone across to the shops and I was on my way back to work, and it was just always this feeling of grace.
00:04:05.204 --> 00:04:06.454
Ralene is a very.
00:04:06.979 --> 00:04:11.508
Beautiful soul and just always pleasant and giggling and fun to be around.
00:04:11.508 --> 00:04:14.498
And I remember walking back and I was infused with gratitude.
00:04:14.498 --> 00:04:17.918
The sun was shining, the trees looked amazing.
00:04:17.949 --> 00:04:26.499
I had my two beautiful kids at home being looked after by my husband, and I just felt so blessed to be in service.
00:04:26.588 --> 00:04:28.809
I loved the customers that would come in the shop.
00:04:28.809 --> 00:04:37.509
I literally was being paid to work in a magic shop and you could have, I would've gone there for free'cause it was just such a beautiful space to hang out in.
00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:47.608
And as I was walking back, I was walking down the pathway and I saw this man walking towards me and I literally caught his eye.
00:04:48.209 --> 00:04:50.488
And looked directly at him.
00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:58.199
And you know when you are walking past someone and there's just this moment, there was just this soul to soul connection, and I didn't say anything.
00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:00.209
I smiled at him and just kept walking.
00:05:00.209 --> 00:05:06.209
And it wasn't hard to do because I was in a state of love and gratitude and appreciation.
00:05:06.209 --> 00:05:09.928
So I just really showered that upon him, a complete stranger.
00:05:10.942 --> 00:05:14.872
And so as I walked past him, I continued in and.
00:05:15.447 --> 00:05:23.997
Walked into the center and two seconds later we had this little bell that would go off when someone entered and the door had opened and I turned around and there was this man.
00:05:23.997 --> 00:05:31.107
So he'd literally gone in the opposite direction, turned around, came back, and he walked in and he walked right up to me and I thought, oh my gosh, like what's happening?
00:05:31.197 --> 00:05:33.476
'cause it felt, you could feel the essence and the energy.
00:05:34.137 --> 00:05:37.437
And he looked me in the eyes and he said to me, I just wanna say thank you.
00:05:38.247 --> 00:05:39.476
And I said, oh, what for?
00:05:39.536 --> 00:05:43.346
And he goes, I was about to go home and take my life.
00:05:43.447 --> 00:05:52.326
And something about you has told me that I'm going to be able to sort my shit out and change my life.
00:05:52.416 --> 00:05:59.737
And he said, I just thought it was important to come in and let you know and say thank you because you witnessed me.
00:05:59.916 --> 00:06:04.627
You saw me, and I don't know why, but you've given me hope.
00:06:05.107 --> 00:06:08.586
And I remember just.
00:06:09.291 --> 00:06:17.961
Being quite young at the time and not really having any idea of what that meant and just feeling a little overwhelmed and kind of, surprised I guess.
00:06:18.382 --> 00:06:22.072
And he turned around and left and I never saw him again.
00:06:22.072 --> 00:06:23.391
Never heard from him again.
00:06:23.391 --> 00:06:26.841
But there's just, again, another reason why.
00:06:28.762 --> 00:06:32.451
You know, really tuning into your values and determining what's important in life.
00:06:32.451 --> 00:06:38.052
And that good old saying of don't sweat the small stuff really does have, significance.
00:06:38.052 --> 00:06:46.312
We really never know what anyone else is going through, and until we've walked a thousand miles in someone else's shoes, I kind of think, who are we to judge anybody?
00:06:46.312 --> 00:07:02.112
So when I feel like, my own judgment's rising and I'm challenged by a situation or something that's, an experience I've been in, it's a great reminder just to come back to compassion and, and really take the action of discernment instead of judgment.
00:07:02.112 --> 00:07:03.762
We, no one's right, no one's wrong.
00:07:03.791 --> 00:07:07.151
We're all just humans having a very complex experience.
00:07:07.271 --> 00:07:12.401
And ultimately my belief is that we're all doing the best we can with who we are and what we know.
00:07:12.401 --> 00:07:13.781
So, you know what?
00:07:13.822 --> 00:07:15.141
Walk lightly today.
00:07:15.172 --> 00:07:15.922
Love yourself.
00:07:15.922 --> 00:07:16.971
Be extra kind.
00:07:17.422 --> 00:07:22.002
And remember that that energy transpires and people feel it.
00:07:22.002 --> 00:07:28.622
I hope it's given you food for thought today, and I hope that someone shows you some kindness.
00:07:29.882 --> 00:07:32.831
All right, until next time, have an awesome day.
00:00:46.143 --> 00:00:54.814
I was reminded recently about an experience that I had many years ago when I worked for a holistic healing center.
00:00:55.154 --> 00:00:58.444
It was this gorgeous little community, down by the hills.
00:00:59.404 --> 00:01:13.203
Here in Western Australia, in Perth, and I know many of you would've visited that beautiful sanctuary and I call it a sanctuary because the woman that owned the center had the most incredible presence.
00:01:13.713 --> 00:01:21.153
She really was the epitome of love and first introduce me to what would then become one of my prime.
00:01:21.293 --> 00:01:25.224
Values, which is the power of kindness.
00:01:25.644 --> 00:01:30.203
And I remember her telling me once that she had learned a long time ago that.
00:01:30.453 --> 00:01:40.474
It didn't matter how powerful someone appeared to be or how much money they had, or whether they had been to university and had multiple degrees or diplomas.
00:01:40.623 --> 00:01:48.364
She looked to one thing and one thing only as an assessment as to whether she wanted to allow someone close to her in her life.
00:01:48.364 --> 00:01:51.573
And she basically used a tool.
00:01:51.573 --> 00:01:55.543
We call in spiritual, terms discernment.
00:01:55.724 --> 00:01:57.073
So discernment is.
00:01:57.073 --> 00:01:58.213
Different to judgment.
00:01:58.634 --> 00:01:59.743
Judgment says you're wrong.
00:01:59.743 --> 00:02:00.224
I'm right.
00:02:00.254 --> 00:02:03.433
Discernment says, Hmm, I'm gonna go in another direction.
00:02:03.433 --> 00:02:04.784
This doesn't resonate with me.
00:02:05.233 --> 00:02:19.484
And when we are looking at healing and raising our vibration, we are wanting to be in resonance with people and situations and experiences that align to who we are at the core levels.
00:02:19.484 --> 00:02:22.003
So in other words, aligned to.
00:02:23.038 --> 00:02:33.778
Our inner being and what I've discovered through my 22 years of deep diving into spirituality is that the core of who I am is love.
00:02:33.868 --> 00:02:46.348
The core at your center is also love, and in fact, everyone, no matter who they're and what they've done or what they've been through in life has this light within.
00:02:46.908 --> 00:02:48.709
That burns like an ember.
00:02:49.188 --> 00:03:00.229
And when we are tapped into our own heart and we are living in heart coherence and we are resonating with the power of love, and it changes people's lives.
00:03:00.229 --> 00:03:10.508
And sometimes it can be the small moments, as simple as a smile or just a gesture or just seeing and acknowledging someone, that can.
00:03:12.598 --> 00:03:25.709
Pull someone out of that chronic negative thought or lack of self-belief or even pain that they might be in either physically or metaphysically or even spiritually and coming back to that spiritual center.
00:03:25.709 --> 00:03:35.209
So I was working there and one day, I decided through witnessing my incredible mentor Raylene, who had.
00:03:35.913 --> 00:03:40.084
I not just told me about the value of hers.
00:03:40.084 --> 00:03:45.313
That was one of many, love being another one and compassion, she also demonstrated it.
00:03:45.313 --> 00:03:59.144
So it's one thing to value something, but it's another thing to be the epitome of it, she certainly did that and taught anyone who worked in her center or who even just came in to sit in the space we were in would always feel it.
00:03:59.294 --> 00:04:05.174
I remember one day I'd gone across to the shops and I was on my way back to work, and it was just always this feeling of grace.
00:04:05.204 --> 00:04:06.454
Ralene is a very.
00:04:06.979 --> 00:04:11.508
Beautiful soul and just always pleasant and giggling and fun to be around.
00:04:11.508 --> 00:04:14.498
And I remember walking back and I was infused with gratitude.
00:04:14.498 --> 00:04:17.918
The sun was shining, the trees looked amazing.
00:04:17.949 --> 00:04:26.499
I had my two beautiful kids at home being looked after by my husband, and I just felt so blessed to be in service.
00:04:26.588 --> 00:04:28.809
I loved the customers that would come in the shop.
00:04:28.809 --> 00:04:37.509
I literally was being paid to work in a magic shop and you could have, I would've gone there for free'cause it was just such a beautiful space to hang out in.
00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:47.608
And as I was walking back, I was walking down the pathway and I saw this man walking towards me and I literally caught his eye.
00:04:48.209 --> 00:04:50.488
And looked directly at him.
00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:58.199
And you know when you are walking past someone and there's just this moment, there was just this soul to soul connection, and I didn't say anything.
00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:00.209
I smiled at him and just kept walking.
00:05:00.209 --> 00:05:06.209
And it wasn't hard to do because I was in a state of love and gratitude and appreciation.
00:05:06.209 --> 00:05:09.928
So I just really showered that upon him, a complete stranger.
00:05:10.942 --> 00:05:14.872
And so as I walked past him, I continued in and.
00:05:15.447 --> 00:05:23.997
Walked into the center and two seconds later we had this little bell that would go off when someone entered and the door had opened and I turned around and there was this man.
00:05:23.997 --> 00:05:31.107
So he'd literally gone in the opposite direction, turned around, came back, and he walked in and he walked right up to me and I thought, oh my gosh, like what's happening?
00:05:31.197 --> 00:05:33.476
'cause it felt, you could feel the essence and the energy.
00:05:34.137 --> 00:05:37.437
And he looked me in the eyes and he said to me, I just wanna say thank you.
00:05:38.247 --> 00:05:39.476
And I said, oh, what for?
00:05:39.536 --> 00:05:43.346
And he goes, I was about to go home and take my life.
00:05:43.447 --> 00:05:52.326
And something about you has told me that I'm going to be able to sort my shit out and change my life.
00:05:52.416 --> 00:05:59.737
And he said, I just thought it was important to come in and let you know and say thank you because you witnessed me.
00:05:59.916 --> 00:06:04.627
You saw me, and I don't know why, but you've given me hope.
00:06:05.107 --> 00:06:08.586
And I remember just.
00:06:09.291 --> 00:06:17.961
Being quite young at the time and not really having any idea of what that meant and just feeling a little overwhelmed and kind of, surprised I guess.
00:06:18.382 --> 00:06:22.072
And he turned around and left and I never saw him again.
00:06:22.072 --> 00:06:23.391
Never heard from him again.
00:06:23.391 --> 00:06:26.841
But there's just, again, another reason why.
00:06:28.762 --> 00:06:32.451
You know, really tuning into your values and determining what's important in life.
00:06:32.451 --> 00:06:38.052
And that good old saying of don't sweat the small stuff really does have, significance.
00:06:38.052 --> 00:06:46.312
We really never know what anyone else is going through, and until we've walked a thousand miles in someone else's shoes, I kind of think, who are we to judge anybody?
00:06:46.312 --> 00:07:02.112
So when I feel like, my own judgment's rising and I'm challenged by a situation or something that's, an experience I've been in, it's a great reminder just to come back to compassion and, and really take the action of discernment instead of judgment.
00:07:02.112 --> 00:07:03.762
We, no one's right, no one's wrong.
00:07:03.791 --> 00:07:07.151
We're all just humans having a very complex experience.
00:07:07.271 --> 00:07:12.401
And ultimately my belief is that we're all doing the best we can with who we are and what we know.
00:07:12.401 --> 00:07:13.781
So, you know what?
00:07:13.822 --> 00:07:15.141
Walk lightly today.
00:07:15.172 --> 00:07:15.922
Love yourself.
00:07:15.922 --> 00:07:16.971
Be extra kind.
00:07:17.422 --> 00:07:22.002
And remember that that energy transpires and people feel it.
00:07:22.002 --> 00:07:28.622
I hope it's given you food for thought today, and I hope that someone shows you some kindness.
00:07:29.882 --> 00:07:32.831
All right, until next time, have an awesome day.