Kindness.

Seems like a simple concept doesn't it?

Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Make everybody feel like a somebody.
Try to be a nice human being.

Surely that is something we can all offer one another? It is after all free to be kind. It costs us nothing. It is good for our own souls, as well as lifting up others.

Then WHY OH WHY does it often seems so scarce out there in the big ol' world?

I had to make a work call yesterday to a company whose sole purpose of operating is to make the world a better place. And blimey, but was the lady on the other end of the line mean! Like, out of her way unkind. And just a simple 3 minute phone call with her left me feeling small, useless, worthless, and afraid to pick up the phone again.

Her very small interaction with me was hurtful.

And it ruined for me what was a beautiful day of celebrating my daughters first birthday. Because her tone and words were the loudest in my head for the rest of the day.

(Dramatic? Yes. But I think you've cottoned on to the fact by now that I am 'emotionally gifted' as one friend puts it.)

However, I don't think I'm unusual.
Small interactions with strangers make up our days.
When someone is kind - even in a small way- like passing on a parking docket with time left on it- it can put a smile on your face, a spring in your step and a song in your heart.

But when the choice made is to withhold kindness from someone- you have no idea what kind of perfect storm is happening in that persons day.

I am TIRED of living in a world where we are sold the lie that kindness makes us weak. That when we give good vibes to others around us that it steals from us in some way. That there can only be one person on top. That there isn't room for everyone. That to be strong we need to be dominant.
IT'S UGLY AND IT'S NOT THE WORLD I WANT FOR MY DAUGHTERS.

And
it's
false.

I was watching the new(ish) Cinderella movie with my daughters last week (because if I watch Boss Baby one more time I will lose every scrap of kindness in my body). And I LOVED the message of the film -

Take courage. And be kind.

YES YES YES YES YES!

This is exactly the message I want ringing in the ears of my girls as they grow into women of this world. Do you I want to raise strong women who know their incredible value. YOU BET YA!
But there is great strength in kindness.
Only the strongest of people can give kindness to everyone the meet. Even when that kindness isn't given in return.

Yesterdays phone call with Cruella was a very important reminder to me to watch my own tone when I get frustrated. Because of course we ALL get frustrated. And rightly so. Life can be an irritating, disappointing, unfair, hot mess with bad communication.
But to be firm, clear and kind all at once is a skill I am keen on mastering.

I think when we know who we are, that we are one of a kind, that there is space and place in this world that is just for us, as well as each and every other human being alive.
Then we can step outside of the tall poppy rat race and just be genuinely nice people to each other.

So I will attempt to 'be the change I want to see in the world' from today.

Let us live lives that cultivate kindness.
Let us raise children who are kind.

And let us only send emails and never make another phone call again.
(not quite over it yet).


x Michal