How Kindness Makes You Happier

[Listen to an audio version of this blog here.]

I received a phone call the other day from Chase Bank. “This is Jake from the Chase Bank off PCH and Violet Lantern,” he said.

I probably said something like, “What?” thinking it was a spam call. There was a time when I never would have answered a random number, but since my job centers on phone communication, I no longer have the luxury of ignoring numbers I don’t know.

Jake sighed. “Jake from Chase bank, I’m with our mortgage financing team.”

This was news to me, but it seemed irrelevant at best. And, Jake sounded either really sad or really bored.

“I think there’s been a mistake,” I said, looking around my 250 square foot studio apartment with peeling paint, a broken window, and a dull grey tiled floor. “I’m definitely not looking to buy a house, especially here.” Buying a home in Kansas or New Mexico or Arizona might be doable. Buying a home in Orange County, the 14th most expensive county in the entire nation, is a definite no-go at present.

“We’ve prequalified you for a home loan of up to $778,000,” Jake droned. His tone and demeanor were so monotone that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re not enjoying this are you?” I asked him.