Building bikes for kids, building teamwork and your serotonin

Build a bike lately? Maybe you have. Christmas and the holidays were just a few weeks back. Kids love bikes. Giving bikes for kids is one of the simpler pleasures in life.

I'm blessed to be involved with our Life Cycles - bike building program where during part of the session bikes are built and then presented to children. The children's faces light up when they realize they get to take home a brand new bike. The faces on the participants light up when they witness the expressions of their recipients.

The Serotonin (the 'feel good' chemical in the body) level of everyone in the session goes up dramatically. Even I, having delivered this program many times, feel a sense of pride, gratitude, and connection by this event.

Science now says that you don't have to do the good deed or receive the good deed to have your Serotonin levels rise. You can simply watch a random act of kindness from a far and be touched. The result being your chin is up a bit more, eyes have a sparkle and your breath is easy.

So pay it forward. Build bikes for kids. Make eye contact and smile in the hallway. Say 'Please or Thank you'. Pass along a compliment. Pick up some litter. Open the door for someone. You will have a different view of the world, your team, and your business.