In defense of kindness…

This week’s post is about embracing kindness. The world feels kind of crazy right now and it is really easy to get swept up in all the negativity. But I wanted to use this week's post to talk about how we can nurture ourselves by showing kindness to others. Because with all the staffing shortages and just people being overwhelmed in general, grumpiness seems to be a new way of life. And I hope to make the case that no one benefits from that approach.

We are in unprecedented times and it is difficult to see an end in sight. That can leave us feeling like we have no control. But we DO have control- control over ourselves. WE decide how we are going to act, who we are going to help and what acts of kindness we are willing to perform. And there is such tremendous power in that. It doesn't have to cost money either. Holding the door for someone struggling to carry bags, letting someone else take the closer parking spot and picking trash up off the ground to make things look nicer are all free ways to engage in acts of kindness.

We all walk around the world with the ability to make people smile or make them frown. So this week I am asking you to really think about ways you can promote kindness. Start to make a habit of it. Look at the world through the lens of "How can I make things better?" and "How can I help?" There is an innate joy that comes from within when we choose kindness- especially when it would be so much easier to go in a different direction. Embrace that joy by really making an effort to do good and be nice. You won't regret it!