on kindess…
The other day, while checking out at the grocery store, I noticed my cashier was having a bad day. There was something about her eyes and her energy that was off and I could tell she was not having it. I tried to make small conversation and this is how it went down:
Me: “Hi, how are you?”
Cashier: “I’m fine,” avoids eye contact and looks down.
Me: “Beautiful rainy day, huh?”
Cashier: “Actually, I’m not OK. This rainy weather reminds me so much of my boyfriend who passed away two months ago. I really miss him.”
Me: (hmmm… I really don’t know what to say)- “I am sorry to hear that.”
Cashier: “thank you, thank you for asking me how I’m doing. I have had a rough day with customers complaining for little things and giving me lots of sass. I am sorry I just loaded all this onto you. There is something about you that gave me comfort to share what I am going through.”
Me: “thank you for sharing, life is tough, but so are you. You will get through this.”
Cashier: “Thank you, I know. I just have to give it time. I just wish people were more kind and welcoming. If people only knew what other’s are going through, I bet they would act differently.”
Me: “Amen sister, we all have different struggles and different challenges, and while we might not know what every single person we interact with is going through, we always have an option to be kind.”
Cashier: “Thank you, (drops my cherry tomatoes all over the floor) I am so sorry. Why am I so clumsy? Let me get you another box.”
Me: “Please don’t worry about it, it happens. It’s just cherry tomatoes. I am in no rush. I can go get another box.”
Cashier: “Thank you for making my day, thank you for being so kind, have a blessed day.”
Me: “Thank you, I hope your day gets better.”
I left the grocery store and drove home. Once I got home and started unpacking my groceries, I realized how a simple hello or a smile can make someone’s day. We are energetic beings, we have the power to infect people with love, appreciation and kindness, if we choose to.
In my experience, it is not always easy to be kind. By default, we tend to react right away, we tend to defend, blame or belittle others especially when we are frustrated or annoyed.
When would that be you ask?
For me it’s when someone is mean,
when someone takes advantage of other people,
when someone cuts me off in traffic or
when someone talks $h!t behind my back.
As much I as I want to (re)act and flip someone off, I know that won’t serve me or anyone else, so I offer a smile instead. It is in these moments that I have to remind myself that it is not about me- so there is no need to take anything personal. It is in these moments that I have to pause and check if what I am about to say/do is kind and loving.
Somedays it is easy to bite my tongue and smile, other days not so much. But just like practicing a handstand, kindness is a practice. The more we can tap into this essence of being kind, the more aligned we are with an energy that is of the highest good.
Being kind is so in right now. Let’s start a KIND movement, you in?
First do something kind for yourself.
Take a deep breath. Take a long bath. Treat yourself to a good book/movie/ or cup of tea.
Then do something kind for someone else.
A smile, a simple hello, a shoulder rub or any other kind gesture would do.
It is known that we cannot give what we do not have, so let’s start by being kind to ourselves first so we can be kind to others.
It is my prayer, my wish and my desire that we continue to operate from a place of love, a place of kindness and deep appreciation. Let’s continue to exercise our kindness muscle and show it off- the world needs us to be more kind more than ever.
I hope that this post inspires you to be kind to yourself & to others.
all my love,
Gustavo
originally created for Kale.Life (https://kale.life/)
