JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Kindness and gratitude as the power source for the brain.
That's the topic that brought former presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson to Jacksonville on Tuesday for the Florida Forum, which benefits Wolfson Children's Hospital.
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The pediatric neurosurgeon and author is promoting an upcoming campaign called "The Journey to Kindness."
Carson is working with the American Civility Association, which is using his book, "Gifted Hands," as part of a curriculum to teach children behavior that leads to better learning.
Carson spoke to News4Jax about his efforts as a presidential candidate and about those on the campaign trail he thinks show the most kindness to others.
UNCUT: Interview with Ben Carson
“There would be a lot of people in our country who would say, 'Absolutely not. I would never get into politics, because it's just too nasty.' And why would anybody ever subject themselves to that? And certainly a lot of people said that to me,” Carson said. “They said, 'You're way too nice a guy and there's no way you could survive in that world.'
“But I would say, if we capitulate to evil everything will soon be evil,” Carson added. “We have to fight. And we fight it with good. We fight it with kindness and decency. "
Carson said he believes kindness holds the key to helping people succeed, including as a foundation for children.
He spoke from his expertise as a neurologist that practicing gratitude shuts down stress and opens the brain for learning.