At the beginning of a new year, I try to make a resolution to improve some part of my life. My past resolutions have included the usual: trying to eat healthier or working out more. It’s March and I haven’t made a resolution yet. So I decided to try something simpler, find my word for 2019.
My book club read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Eat, Pray, and Love” over ten years ago. We decided (like she did) to choose our own word. It was fascinating to learn what words others chose. My word back then was hope.
Within the past week, two inspiring things happened and I found my word for 2019. First, I finished reading “Becoming” by Michelle Obama, and second, I had lunch with a dear friend. Both of these remarkable women brought the word “kindness” to my mind.
I didn’t realize it, but kindness has been on my mind since celebrating a recent birthday milestone. Not only did my friends and family write me notes filled with stories and good wishes, they also made generous donations to Big Brothers/Big Sisters. And kindness was there waiting for me the whole time.
The past couple of years have been overwhelming with negative politics and division. My challenge is to not be consumed by the news, but instead to actively show kindness and find kindness whenever I can. I know it won’t be easy, especially if I’m tired, hungry, or lost, which in any combination causes me to direct my anger elsewhere…like at car driver…as if it’s their fault that I’m having a bad day.
One of my favorite lines about kindness comes from Kathryn Stockett’s book, “The Help.” It’s when Aibileen says to Mae (and to herself, and to all of us): “You is Kind. You is Smart. You is Important.”
Thank you to my family and friends for showing me kindness and the importance of showing it to others.
