Small Acts of Kindness that go a long way

Jacklynne Marder
Dec 12, 2025
1 min read

This book was gifted to me in January after the fires by a dear friend who knew it was special to me and a part of my daily morning ritual. It felt so comforting to have the book again. Each morning that I see it, it acts as a daily reminder for me that there is light in this world and of the outpouring of kindness and support that was experienced in such a dark time. It represents hope. It helps me hold inside both the despair about the state of the world AND faith in humanity.

Never underestimate the power of what even the smallest act of kindness can do for someone. It may provide the endurance that allows them to keep going and get through a challenging time in life they’re struggling to endure.

When Ram Dass asked his guru in India what he needed to do to reach enlightenment (expecting an answer like meditate all day everyday in a cave), his guru simply replied- “serve people and feed people.”

The name of the game is selfless service and acts of kindness. Nothing opens the heart more than that, and isn’t that what spirituality is all about ? Not about how long you can meditate for but about learning to open the heart deeper and deeper….

I understand where Ram Dass's guru was coming from! ❤️

About Jacklynne Marder

Psychotherapist

Jacklynne Marder is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Los Angeles who specializes in somatic, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and trauma therapy. She holds a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where her personal experiences with grief and the healing power of yoga initially sparked her passion for the mind-body connection.

Dedicated to merging Western holistic health modalities with Eastern philosophies, Marder has amassed an extensive array of advanced clinical training and certifications. Her specialized therapeutic background includes Level 1 and 2 EMDR as well as Attachment-Focused EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy through the Hakomi Institute.

Furthermore, she is a certified trauma-informed yoga teacher and has completed cutting-edge training in Psychedelic and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, utilizing this comprehensive, integrative approach to help clients release trauma and restore balance.