Thrive Newsletter - Issue #39 - The Kindness Edition

Being kind is a hard sell in today's climate; not easy. But being kind nourishes the soul of everyone involved.

Apr 22, 2023

Hello Friends,

In today’s world, “being kind” is a mantra that seems to be a nice thought we briefly have, speeding toward verbally eviscerating opponents of any sort.

Especially when you have Ron DeSatan, sorry, “Desantis,” as a governor trying to push LGBTQ+ people back to a small 1950s closet full of Trump’s skeletons. In this situation and SOOOOOO many others, it’s so much easier to return negative energy when it keeps getting dished out from all sides everywhere you turn.

Many people make money, and fame, from being incredibly hostile jerks at other people’s expense. It’s lucrative, and it’s turning meanness into desirable virtue.

And that sucks.

But being unkind, self-serving, and a snark-monster machine is like soul-clotting fast food. It’s shallow infotainment for the angry. Being kind, selfless, and thoughtful is a feast everyone craves, but few people attend. Being kind enriches relationships and nourishes the soul. I want to be one who does show up to receive and extend kindness.

Being a jerk is easy and lazy. Being a jerk creates a lot of energy. That said, it’s negative energy that tears down. Being kind builds people up, and has to be intentional and thoughtful to be genuine.

In today’s world, many often don’t see the worth of investing kindness in others because they honestly do not see it for what it is… a positive relational investment into our families, community, and even ourselves. Many people have never been treated kindly, so they may not know what to do or how to respond when kindness is extended to them. Others may not trust kindness because it is often used as a mask for manipulation or abuse.

I am doing my best to be intentionally kind and not just buy the soccer Mom’s latte at the coffee shop kind of kindness either. I want to make authentic kindness my default energy.

I think I am getting kinder as I age. As more years pass, living authentically makes it easier.

Don’t get me wrong, I can still be a snarky b*tch … but we all need goals, right? ;)

The editing team and I are going to be meeting weekly starting Monday. It’s happening :). So this Monday, we will discuss a title and ideas for the cover.

So exciting!

As I mentioned last week, I have started a Facebook group and Instagram channel (available through the Instagram app) for those who want to draw upon their inner cheerleader to help promote what I hope will be a life-saving book.

Updates will be coming, so stay tuned and join our crew on Facebook and/or Instagram. See you there!