I found a doodle my oldest daughter made recently, with this statement: “Kindness is greatness.” So simple. So true.
I have listened to many people lately, my own kids included, talk about the wounds they feel from unkindness. Unwelcome or overlooked. Insignificant or flat out rejected. The news is filled with much of the same unkindness, on a grander scale.
Regardless of the situation, the age, the politics, the faith, we need simple KINDNESS. I think my first reflex in the face of pain and injustice should be prayer. But next it must be action. Instead of sitting in the middle of anger or fear, we must act. I have been challenged lately to just DO ONE THING. And then do ONE MORE THING.
- Notice people doing good and TELL THEM.
- Invite someone new to eat with you.
- Look for the positive in the people in your life.
- We're all a little wonky. So thank the people in your life for being ok with your brand of wonky. And be okay with theirs.
- Smile.
- Do something unexpected. Take out their trash, make them cookies, mow their lawn.
- Write 5 things you appreciate about someone who isn't your bff and give them the list.
- Go out of your way for someone.
- Communicate with honesty and grace.
- Stop expecting people to be perfect.
- Say thank you. A lot.
- If you are wrong, just say you're sorry and MOVE ON.
- Let go of the need to be right.
- Listen.
- Stop trying to fix people.
- Give something you love away to someone who needs it.
Kindness begets kindness. I guarantee if we do this, we will like ourselves so much more. And it will be easier to get out of bed and face this screwed up world because we are DOING something positive.
We all need kindness. Even the people who don't seem like they need ANYTHING from us. They do. The world is DESPERATE for this kind of greatness.
