K I ND
Being the youngest of four kids, I was a quick study of everyone around me. Survival in a larger family depends on how quickly you build your emotional intelligence to learn to get along. And not only to get along but to also ascertain what social skills are necessary and more importantly – helpful for one to thrive. My Mom, the matriarch of the family, was a beacon of warmth, kindness, and thoughtfulness. Her nickname was “Big Red.” She was a redheaded, classy lady. When you talked with my mom she gave her full attention to you. I still marvel on how in a super busy family of six she made each of us feel special, important, and loved. Please understand, I am not saying our family life was perfect – but my mom lived what she preached, “You get more with honey than you do with vinegar.” She wanted each of her kids to stand up for themselves, to be smart, while concurrently to be actively and sincerely kind.
With the political climate we are currently living through, it seems a crucial time to talk as a family about human values in order to determine together what role, what actions and what words to use to help promote kindness. We need to do our part to reduce the anger that seems to be permeating the national conversation. Good Morning America is promoting #The Great Kindness Challenge nationwide. Check it out when you can, for tons of schools are participating and helping nurture hopefully this life long habit of kindness. Please click on the link: The Great Kindness Challenge.
This has been an important value for me as an educator. More than once at a school assembly I shared parts of my childhood story to bring home the point to the students on the value of “kindness.” Students love to hear stories of the “good old days” – sharing one bathroom, one black and white television (they always hoot and holler at that!), no internet, and very little structure after school. You had to learn how to be the “I” in kind, by forgiving and often showing humility. It was imperative to practice and hone those characteristics.
My hope, in sharing childhood anecdotes, was that the students would be reminded/encouraged and learn how to take ownership of being the “I.” In other words, how to take the steps towards being an active, thoughtful and kind person. From small actions to larger more significant steps. As I shared with students, kindness is at first intentional and then hopefully becomes second nature.
Cheers to kindness – Mom I was listening.
Laine