Do not be dismayed.

Kindness was valued above all else in our household growing up.  To do something thoughtful for someone else was modeled and expected. It was just a way of being.

So I was a bit shocked when I went out into the world (off to college, that is), and even more dismayed throughout the various jobs in my lifetime, to find that most people are focused on themselves.  It’s a pretty hard lesson; one that I am still trying to wrap my head around.

Looking back, I realize that in spite of the awful things that have happened to me, or the way people have treated me, I am still kind.  When I read the quote above, I am reminded of how important it is for me to keep my heart open and to continue to be my kind self.

Question: Do you believe there are kind souls to be found in this world?

Food For Thought:  Has the world been unkind to you?

Challenge:  Are you brave enough to open your heart anyway?

One thing every day …

This quote by Eleanor Roosevelt found me (and by this I mean: I read it for the first time) when my girls were young.  In fact, I think they were both in early elementary school.  It was a time in their lives when they were trying all kinds of new activities – swim, dance, etc. – and I was always encouraging them to be brave.

But the day I read this quote, I had the realization that I couldn’t very well expect them to be brave and try new things if I wasn’t modeling that behavior myself.  Children learn by what we do, not by what we say.

So, may I continue to do things that scare me.  Woo-hoo!!  How about you?

Question:  Is there something you’ve been avoiding that you really, really, really want to try?

Food For Thought: What if the only thing stopping you was your fear?

Challenge: What new thing could you try today (however small) that absolutely scares you?