A+ for Kindness

They say whenever you hear negative comments about your performance or criticism of any kind you will take it to heart and think about it over and over. Even if you hear many good comments it is the negative one that will stick with you. It’s human nature. The words will last a long time.

Recently I was helping my mom clean out some closets. We unearthed all kinds of family treasures: baby clothes, building blocks, storybooks, holiday slides, vacation souvenirs, and on and on. We even found my report card from first grade! I started to read it with interest then my stomach turned to a knot. “Lisa lacks self-confidence. She needs too much teacher guidance to complete her work.” Oddly the words hurt even though they were 45 years old! Good Grief! I felt bad because I lacked self-confidence as a six year old. They were not unkind words they were the truth at the time. Still, reading that report made me momentarily feel terrible. Silly.

But this got me thinking about our words and how they last. I remember getting bad reports cards in school. I was described as a creative girl and I obeyed the rules. However academically I was always behind. Not enough to warrant special help I just struggled. But I was a rock star when it came to anything creative. Mom and I found a few book reports with more illustration than content to prove that point. Most of the report cards we found were not glowing academically. I flinched.

If words last so long we should be very careful how we use them. We have opportunities daily to say a kind word. Even a good morning as you pass a stranger on the sidewalk is an unexpected nicety. Holding a door, letting traffic merge, saying thank you; there are all sorts of ways to show some kindness. You can take it a step further. I once watched as the driver of an 18-wheel truck maneuvered his vehicle backwards down an alley in San Francisco. Folks were honking for him to hurry up. Yet he did it in two minutes! I was amazed and told him so! You can tell someone “Great job!” as well.

When you have a chance this week to say a kind word seize it! Tell someone they are giving you great service. Point out to a co-worker you appreciate the job they are doing. Let a family member know you love them. All those words will sink in and be remembered. In fact they just may be the comment some one needs to hear especially if they’ve only heard negativity for too long. Let your words be kind this week. It will put a smile on someone’s face. It will put a smile on your face as well. What a beautiful way to face the world: smiling!

If you’d like to challenge yourself with a new kindness each week check out the Kindness Chronicles on my website. Every Wednesday I post a new challenge. It’s a nudge to do something kind for the folks in your circle of people: family, friends, even strangers. Give it a try. You will be surprised how good it feels.

Seize the day with a kind word! @MargaretMcSweeney #kindness #smile
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