Noticing others is the first step to kindness
There is something to be said about being in the right place at the right time. It feels fortuitous, almost like someone is watching out for us or that our interactions are predetermined. But instead of hoping to be in the right place at the right time, I long to be more aware of my
It’s the little things
I spent last Friday afternoon in a women’s prison. I was there visiting someone I’ve started to think of as a friend. She’s the mom of a little boy I love. Why she’s there probably isn’t important. Why are any of us where we are? Maybe we said “Yes” one too many times or our
Shared talents increase everyone’s joy
I went to a conference earlier this month that was basically a two-day party for people who love kindness. Every night, a few folks would stand up and share a five-minute story about their favorite acts of kindness. I wish I would have had the foresight to record their messages. I would have had enough
Your life is a wildly amazing puzzle
I’m sitting at a table with a large tray in front of me. An assortment of half-finished puzzles and dozens of puzzle pieces are waiting for assembly. As I look at the tray, I struggle to make sense of it. I see portions of my life: time I’m spending with my family… sitting in my
Kindness proves the theory of relativity
If it had rained one hot July day in 2011, I would not be writing this column. If I had felt too tired by depression to take my kids to the city pool, I would not have a found my purpose. If one teenage mom in a shiny gold bikini had been too proud to
We need your brand of bravery
I am vehemently opposed to wearing white pants. Not for anyone else. Just for me. I have all kinds of reasons: white pants are only for super skinny girls, I don’t have the right color underwear, I have to be careful where I sit. I can’t eat ketchup or salsa. The list is never-ending. Guess
Train your brain to say ‘yes’ to kindness
I think two might be my favorite age. Not for my own kids, but for other people’s kids. When my children were two, I was caught up in diapers and crushed Goldfish crackers and constant laundry duty. Now, as a mom of school-age kids, I can sit back and see how adorable other people’s toddlers
