Be Kind

This has been a tough week in America.  Lots of people lost their precious lives due to senseless violence and fear. My heart has been broken and I have been trying to decide how I can be part of the solution.  The word that is on my heart is kindness. 

Kindness: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. synonyms:kindliness, kindheartedness, warmheartedness, affection, warmth, gentleness, concern, care

A couple years ago, that word really started to impact me and it has became the main word I have chosen to adopt as a core value.  

In times like these, I wonder how an act of simple (or profound) kindness could have changed things.  How a moment of concern, care, listening could make a big impact. 

This week has challenged me to up my game.  To choose kindness when I don't feel like it.  When I am frustrated because my order is taking forever at a restaurant or because someone cut me off in traffic - To take a moment to compliment someone rather than just think it and keep walking. It has challenged me to look for the good in each person and to actually take the time to notice. I want to be known for assuming the best and treating each person with care. 

Life is hard and sometimes injust. But in my heart, I believe that kindness can change the world. We have a choice in each moment how we respond.  We are all human. We are all different - yet the same. We are all imperfect and precious. We all need compassion. We all need love and a kind word.  We all need an ally.

This week, let's love a little harder, go out of our way to show kindness to every one along our path and find ways to create a better world, for all of us.