Be Kind

“Being kind means responding to the needs of others—and people can be kind, no matter how old or young we are.” —Fred Rogers

Dear Friends,

I’ve been thinking a lot, this past week, about last week’s blog post and specifically about ways we can both show up and be genuine in our own selves, and simultaneously have a willingness to listen, learn, soften and shift with those in our lives.

A few days ago I stumbled upon the above quote…”being kind means responding to the needs of others”.  As a bit of a born people-pleaser who has tried my best to find better ways to show up in my own life and with my own needs, I have looked for ways that I can create boundaries, listen to my own needs, and, instead of automatically bending to the needs or desires of those around me, listening deeply to what I want and need.

But I think kindness, responding to the needs of others, being aware of the needs of those around us doesn’t have to be an either/or situation, but in many circumstances can instead be a both/and solution.  I think there are ways we can both respond to the needs of others, and be aware of the needs of others while simultaneously thinking about our own needs and creating good boundaries for ourselves.  We don’t have to live in a perpetual state of either/or.

Sometimes it takes slowing down, really listening, and maybe some creativity to come up with both/and instead of either/or solutions, but I do think it can be done with regularity if we are willing to put the effort in to slow down, to listen, to perhaps think a little more creatively about solutions.

I hope you have an amazing week, my friend.

Love
Krista