The Power of Kindness

Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything that could go wrong goes wrong? And on top of things going wrong, you seem to inadvertently hurt people’s feelings and upset friends? I seem to be in one of those weeks. No matter how hard I try to shake the feelings, to move past the feelings of blah and fight back the tears always promising to spill over, the week won’t change.

I find weeks like this so frustrating. Normally, I can talk to a friend, work through my feelings, make a plan, and move forward. No matter how many times I have tried this tried and true system, increased my workouts, volunteered, or spent time with my dogs, nothing will shake the mood. Exhaustion is creeping in and with it, the threat of tears is all too real. Not wanting to stop, not able to push pause on my to-do list, I have plowed forward, convinced everything will work out.

The struggle is real, the stress is too much, and I feel like I will explode at any moment. How has life become so heavy? Where has the joy escaped to? I think the breaking moment came when my sweet puppy threw a guilt trip at me for the first time. I was getting ready to leave for a few hours and needed to put her in her puppy room. She loves her puppy room, she is safe, cool, has room to play, her bed, and water. Yet for the first time, she did not want to go in. Trying to scoop her off the floor and mutter reassuring words, I wanted to cry. This moment was my breaking point. I hated the thought of my sweet puppy being miserable.

Pushing through the moment, trying to shower her with love and reassurance, I placed her in her room and left. I was frazzled. To make matters worse, my back-to-back-to-back meetings all ran long, making me late for each. Unsure how to tell clients I can no longer meet with them when they are more than 15 minutes late, I smiled and made the best of each situation. Yet as the day dragged on, my patience wore thin.

Ready to throw the towel in, to quit for the day, a moment of kindness was given to me. I am ashamed to say it took me more than a minute to recognize the moment, to see, hear, and feel the kindness. But once the moment took hold, once my brain stopped racing and relaxed in the kindness, I felt my entire being relax. The feelings of frustration, anger, and hopelessness of ever getting back on schedule all disappeared. The kindness and smile offered to me made everything feel different, peaceful even.

In that moment, I realized the true power of kindness. Never underestimate the value of a smile or kind word you share with someone. In moments of desperation, hopelessness, or even fear, kindness can become the much sought-after life vest. I had never really given much thought to the adage be kind to everyone, you never know the battle they are fighting. This past week, I have truly understood it, I have hidden tears of exhaustion, frustration and pain, I have dug deeper for more energy when all I wanted to do was sleep. I have comforted a sick puppy, helped an injured elderly dog, treated ear infections, cooked, washed more floors than I care to remember, and done more laundry than ever. And through all of this, I have looked presentable, smiled when I wanted to scream, and done my best to be polite.

In that one moment of kindness, the moment of a genuine smile and kind word, I felt energized, relieved, accepted, and seen. Moments like this can give us the courage to keep going, the ability to share the kindness we are shown is contagious. Imagine if we made it our goal to show kindness to one person or animal a day. The world would dramatically change in 30 days. Being kind does not make you vulnerable, show weakness, rather it highlights your strength, character, and ability to understand the world does not revolve around you.

I would like to challenge you to a 30-day kindness contest. For 30-days, no matter how you feel or what is going on in your life, I want you to be kind to everyone you meet. Even if the kindest thing you can do is keep your mouth shut. Watch how you change, watch your energy levels increase, and watch the world around you shift for the better.

Sincerely,

Sara