Choosing Kindness

Hello everyone. I guess it's been a little while.

Shew. It's been a tough week. Just in case you haven't already picked up on that. And I don't just mean tough because of the results of the election. Berea College, where I work, has been grieving this past week over the death of a student. Needless to say the mood has been very somber. We are all humans, processing and coming to terms with what has taken place.

For me, keeping my own opinions aside, I am going to do what I as a Christian am called to do, and that is pray for this new leadership in our country. I would encourage my Christian friends to do the same, regardless of who you voted for.

As I was walking back from the college post office yesterday afternoon, on a beautiful cloudless afternoon, no less, I had a thought occur to me: You've probably heard the phrase "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This came to me in light of a conversation we'd had in the office on Wednesday, the day after the election. A group of four women in our office were taking place in this conversation and we basically came to this conclusion: We're not going to let fear rule. The time for change is now and it's time for us to come together and actually take steps to make change, real change, not just post a long Facebook status. And it seems that now, more than ever, is the time for change. So yesterday, I replayed this conversation, and then over time my mind started to formulate a list. A list of how I, we, can choose kindness.

So go ahead:

• Pay for the person behind you. 
• Smile at someone, anyone. Heck, just smile. 
• Give a hug. 
• Have that friend over. Or have lunch or coffee with that friend. 
• Pray, and pray a lot: For your neighbors, for your friends, for your co-workers, for the person you pass in the street, for your family, for your future husband/wife, for your heart to be open to meet the needs of those around you. 
• Tip more. 
• Write a letter, an actual handwritten letter, or two or twenty. 
• Say more of "I love you", "I'm listening", and "I care about you." 
• Whenever you think of someone just because, reach out to them and let them know that they were on your mind. 
• Offer to babysit for any parent friends you have, so they can have a break.
• Give at least one compliment a day.
• Learn to respectfully disagree with someone (Kid President, anyone?) 
• Put the phones away at dinner time, or when you're out on a date.
• Do things (at home, at work, etc) without being asked to.
• Get to know someone from a different culture, sexual orientation, race, religion. You may be surprised at how much you learn. 
• This holiday season, offer to wrap presents for someone you know.
• Practice giving people the benefit of the doubt. I'm not saying be a pushover, just understand and be respectful of our own humanity.
• Think twice before you speak, post, act. Social media has become a very powerful, influential tool.
• Don't take yourself- or anything- too seriously. Yes, there is a time and a place for being serious. But laugh too! 
• And the list goes on and on...

One last thought: Don't let fear of what could be hold you back. Be encouraged and motivated by the person YOU want to be when this is all said and done. 

Finally, thank you to all of our veterans. Thank you. Thank you so much for your service. Thank you so much for your sacrifice.