Don't be yourself - be someone a little nicer. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966
I saw this quote and thought it was pretty funny. I had a typical crazy Monday. Tons to do...never know where to start..a lot of people to check in with and tasks to get done but all of that really wasn't what was heavy on my mind.
Last Friday I had decided to do something today that I have been nervous about doing. Not just nervous I was really down right scared...this something that I planned to do...caused me so much stress and anxiety that it kept me up at night...a lot of nights...but I had procrastinated enough and it was time to deal with it head on.
To my utter amazement, my anxiety and fear was met with kindness and understanding. I wasn't expecting that at all. And it wasn't your ordinary "someone being nice"... it was true and genuine kindness and compassion. It seemed like an instinctual thing for this person. After this experience I just wept because of this unexpected kindness and comfort that I got from a complete stranger. Although I thanked her for her kindness I don't think she realizes how profoundly that affected me today....and how I so needed it.
I want to be like that. I want my automatic reaction for anyone I meet or interact with to be that of kindness, compassion and love. It was pretty humbling.
Unfortunately after that I was driving home and got cut off by this....person and had some pretty choice words for him... Well I'm a long way from perfect... I'll just try again tomorrow...kindness begins with me :)
