Choose Kindness

In this Post: With so much turmoil in our current climate, nerves are frayed. Let’s be beacons of light and CHOOSE kindness.

This whole Coronavirus has been pretty polarizing!

Like so many things in our current climate, people seem to be on one side of issues or the other. During all this turmoil, if we can choose kindness, we will be helping to contribute to the desperately needed global healing that NEEDS to occur! 

As professionals in the healing arts, let’s elevate ourselves and our profession by speaking softly and kindly. Let’s be a beacon of light in a dark place in our history!

Virtual Garage Sales

I’ve been hosting virtual garage sales daily for the last several weeks in an attempt to liquidate my inventory, supplies, and equipment. Downsizing my massage practice because of impacts from the Coronavirus was something I never expected at the beginning of the year, yet here I am. 

How the garage sales work is I post pictures of my inventory, customers request items on Facebook, and then schedule appointments to pick up their goods.

A couple of days ago, a customer requested some items on Facebook. At her scheduled pick-up time, she came in hot. She pulled in vertically to the horizontal parking spot, screeched her tires, and flew out of her car, exclaiming, “Do you need me to put on a mask or what?”

I have to say, it was pretty off-putting! Here I am downsizing a practice I have poured myself into for years because of a frickin’ virus. And she is upset because she might have to wear a mask for a minute while she picks up a few soaps and lotions.

I gently told her that my preference would be that she please wear a mask.

She continued to explain that she had been wondering what side of the virus I was on, that people seemed to be in one camp or the other. And now that she knew which side I was on, she knew how to better interact with me.

You guys, her comment stung. There are so many facets to how this virus has affected me, and you, and your neighbor, and your mother and friends. And none of those experiences have been the same. So, to say that people fall in one camp or the other felt like a minimalization of my experience. And, I kinda hated it!

No one likes to feel minimized. 

And I mean no one. And we all have our reasons. My reasons for choosing to treat this pandemic the way I am, include financial stability, being a single mom without childcare, and REALLY wanting to see my parents.

People have strong opinions about how things should go, and in many cases are alienating long time friends and family. While it is okay to have strong thoughts and opinions regarding the issue, remember to be respectful in your interactions.

Remember that everyone has their own motivations for acting the way they are. Sometimes there is more than what meets the eye. Sometimes what you see is merely scratching the surface of why someone acts the way they do.

And so, I want to challenge you to move forward with love and compassion. To be gentle in your interactions out there. 

CHOOSE Kindness

Sometimes we may be frustrated or annoyed or feel put out. But choose kindness. 

Sometimes we might feel sad or depressed or angry. But choose kindness.

Kindness goes a long way! And in the midst of so much turmoil, with protests and riots and all the unknowns, it is important to have grace towards our neighbors, friends, and strangers!

There are a lot of frayed nerves out there—a lot of people on the brink of meltdowns and explosions. Let’s be a light during this time. Let’s remember to speak with dignity and care in all of our interactions. 

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