Shadi Pourkashef
Goodwill Ambassador of World Kindness, City of Laguna Beach · 2025-03-21 · 5 min read
As the executive director of two Laguna Beach nonprofits, Shadi Pourkashef is often asked: can kindness really solve big problems? Her answer — rooted equally in quantum physics and lived experience — is a resounding yes.
As the executive director of two nonprofits in town, I'm often asked two questions: Why kindness? And do you really believe you can create unity?
Everyone believes that sure, kindness is nice, but it can't possibly solve any big issues we're facing or help ease the suffering people are experiencing. Let's face it — life can be messy and we all struggle from time to time. But we also know the power of how one kind gesture in the midst of the chaos can change our reality and fill us up with hope and love.
Research shows that not only the giver and the receiver benefit — but also all those around them feel less lonely, more connected, happier, more inclined to perform an act of kindness themselves. And those ripples continue on. I can't think of anything more healing than that.
The Science of Connection
No one can, or needs to, create unity — because we are already united. The problem is called an illusion of separation, both spiritually and scientifically. Ego, greed, ignorance, and fear are the main reasons why we choose this illusion over the truth.
Quantum Entanglement Theory proves that when change is introduced to one particle that is part of an entangled pair, it instantaneously induces the same change in the other particle regardless of their distance. It's important to know that all particles in our world have at some point been entangled, meaning the universe is one big quantum system in which everything is correlated.
One act of violence can create another act of violence on the other side of the world — just as one act of love can create another act of love.
Quantum physics proves that all of us and everything in the entire universe are energy and vibration. Atoms are 99.99% space filled with vibration, connected to all other vibrations. Whether we like it or not, our lives and everything in the universe are not only connected — but absolutely so, with no separation.
Why This Matters for Laguna
However, we won't feel that connection if our focus remains on everything that separates us: gender, ethnicity, status, money, political views, and so on. While I teach kindness, compassion, tolerance, friendship, and understanding of those differences, my mission is not to create unity — but to point all to the truth that we are, in fact, one unit. We are less likely to bully or hurt another when we realize we are ultimately hurting ourselves.
Isn't it empowering to know we can create a kinder world just by focusing our attention on love and kindness? The more we cultivate compassion and kindness, the more we can heal one another, help each other evolve, and collectively help humanity evolve.
Shadi Pourkashef is a composer, conductor, and teacher. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ability Awareness Project at KindAndSafeSchools.org, and Goodwill Ambassador of World Kindness for the City of Laguna Beach. She has been voted Best Activist of Laguna Beach and named a OneOC Champion of Change. Learn more at anami.co.
