humankind – The Chicago Files

–photo courtesy: https://inspirekindness.com/

I think it goes without saying that the entire world is feeling quite exhausted dealing with this less-than stellar year. I feel as if we are in a “Twilight Zone” state at the moment.

There is so much going on at once that it is extremely difficult to discern what ‘normal’ feels like. I think that is to be expected, especially when we don’t know when/how/what ‘normal’ will look like in the future.

And yet, there is something that I’d like to think has remained in most people: kindness. At the basic core of who we really are we can still find the common thread of kindness.

We talk about kindness as something we share with others; and that is a very good thing indeed. But what about for ourselves? To be kind to oneself is extremely important, especially right now.

If you think about it, we are bombarded day in and day out with so much negativity, yet we don’t give pause to counter it with something good.

My Mum has taught me that the Universe abhors a vacuum. If we can get rid of the negative junk we see/hear from this year, that creates a space to be filled. As a wee challenge, try filling it with something (and it can be a very small thing) that shows kindness for yourself.

Most of you know I’m extremely blessed to live across the street from Lake Michigan. When the thoughts of this year become too much to think about, I stare at the lake and positive thoughts immediately come to mind. The lake doesn’t know we are enduring COVID-19; it is still ‘normal’. The Canada Geese who fly by on their way back to my home and native land are still doing their thing.

Trite examples, perhaps. But it gives me an indication that I’m showing kindness to myself by introducing good thoughts and feelings into my awareness.

Oh, and there’s always the reminder of ‘humor in my hood’: