March 23 – Growing Kindness in a Challenging World

“If you can, even remember to help people you don’t know. More precious than a kingdom is to gain friends by kindness.” Cato’s Distichs

Sometimes, the world can feel overwhelming. The news is full of challenges. Politics is full of meanness, tribalism, and bullying. Our daily lives can be demanding. It's no wonder we might feel a bit discouraged at times. But we need to remember we all have the power to make a difference through kindness. Through simple acts, we can turn the tide of negativity.  Kindness is a value anyone can develop, anywhere on the globe.

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Dalai Lama

John O'Leary, in his book In Awe, remarks, "It requires great effort to take hold of the powerful sense of expectancy to stop assuming the worst, and to instead expect to see the best. But looking for it, tuning into it, and sharing it, we are radically changed by it!"

Think of kindness like a seed. The more we choose to see the good in others, the more that seed thrives. It starts small, maybe a smile in the elevator or holding a door open. But those tiny acts blossom into something bigger, creating a ripple effect of positivity.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Kindness isn't just about grand gestures. Look around! The world is full of everyday heroes:

The neighbor who brings over your misdelivered mail.

The stranger on the train who offers their seat to someone who needs it more.

The office worker who takes the extra time to help a person struggling with a form.

The teenager who pauses to help an elderly person at an electronic check-in counter.

W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz, in their book Do the Work, remind us, "Talk is cheap, platitudes are even cheaper. We have to learn how to act."

“It takes courage to be kind.” Maya Angelou

The beauty of kindness is that it doesn't require fancy tools or special skills.

Here's your everyday kindness toolkit:

Be a good listener. Put down your phone, make eye contact, and truly hear what someone is saying.

Offer a helping hand. See someone struggling? Lend a hand, even if it's just a small offer.

Celebrate others' successes. Be genuinely happy for someone's achievements, big or small.

Show appreciation. Thank the bus driver, leave a kind note for your mail carrier, or simply tell someone you appreciate them.

Practice patience and understanding. Everyone has bad days. A little extra patience can go a long way.

Kindness is contagious. The more we practice it, the more it spreads. Let's build a world where kindness is the norm, where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

Because a world that shines with kindness is a world that shines brighter for everyone. Let’s go out there and sprinkle some kindness around! 

"See the Good" Challenge: Take turns noticing and pointing out positive things about people or situations throughout the day.

In today's increasingly digital world, it's easy to lose sight of what makes us human. The constant bombardment of screens and social media can distract us from cultivating essential qualities like kindness, empathy, and resilience.

My book, Nurturing Hopeful Resilience,  guides parents and caregivers through the challenges of raising children in a technology-driven age. It explores the importance of instilling strong values in children from a young age to help them develop into compassionate, responsible, and fulfilled individuals.

Through a series of practical exercises and insightful reflections, this book delves into fourteen core values: curiosity, awareness, kindness, learning, self-awareness, fairness, playfulness, compassion, service, belonging, trustworthiness, authenticity, community, and responsibility. Understanding and nurturing these values can empower our children to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world.

This book offers a roadmap for raising children who are academically successful, emotionally intelligent, socially adept, and morally grounded. It encourages readers to prioritize human connection, empathy, and compassion over material possessions and fleeting digital distractions. By embracing the power of values, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.