Kindness Always Wins
In this newsletter, learn why kindness always wins, a corporate funny, and listen to one of my favorite songs.
My 12-year-old son attended a football game a couple of weeks ago. It was a major high school game, even the local news was present. The food lines were crazy long, and, of course, my son needed to get something to eat and went to stand in the food line alone. Seeing the seemingly interminable line in front of him, he knew that he would have at least a 30-minute wait. Eventually things start moving, but then he turns around and sees a dad with his young son. Without hesitating, my son says "Sir, you can go in front of me; I know you have a little kid." The dad smiled and said, “Thanks!” Once the dad placed his and his son’s orders, he turned around to D-rock and said, "And what would you like?". My son was ecstatic that the dad paid for his meal, and I am so thankful to that random stranger for teaching my son that kindness really does pay off.
In today’s world, kindness is too often seen as overrated. I recently pulled up to an ATM Chase bank to get money. When I pulled up, I realized I could not find my card. I frantically looked around and realized that I left it at home. At the same moment this realization hit me, I heard a loud "HONK HONK" behind me. Startled, I moved my car up, just as the woman behind rolls down her window and yells, "Nice Job!" Now......don't judge me. But I stopped my car, rolled down my window, and said, "Would you like to say that again?". She said nothing. I pulled up to the bank and proceeded to give the bank teller my driver’s license, explaining that I left my debit card at home. The bank teller couldn't have been nicer. She took my information, talked about her day, and even told me that I could use my virtual wallet to get money if I ever left my wallet at home again. I thanked her several times and told her of the experience at the ATM. She laughed and said that, although she comes off nice, she was raised in a rough neighborhood and has had to learn to tone it down. This was such a wonderful display of the power of kindness; my entire mood was uplifted by her friendliness. Another thanks to a random stranger. Kindness works!
Good Quote
He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.
Bob Marley
Life
Mark Manson is one of the most popular life experts. He is well known for his New York Times best seller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life. Most recently, he partnered with Will Smith to write the book Will (super excited about the book). I will get to see both Will Smith and Mark Manson live next week - I look forward to sharing insights and inspiration! Mark Manson writes in a direct, in your face manner. Check out an oldie but goodie throwback article here.
Mark Manson
Corporate Laugh
This article never gets old. If you read this, and are in Corporate America, this is guaranteed to make you laugh. Throughout our careers, we have all known that person who acts extra important in the meetings or makes comments just to hear themselves talk. The link below explains how you can sound smart during meetings – enjoy!
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On Family
If you have a child in middle school and high school who hasn’t experienced thoughts of suicide, depression, bullying, fighting, or drugs, then consider yourself lucky. Think about when you were in high school, and multiply that by ten: this is what it is like for our teens. I have dealt with these topics in my household, and there is nothing scarier as a mom. Minorities tend to be more impacted by these risks, but they transcend race. Today’s mental health crisis in kids has grown more and more urgent over the past couple of years, and COVID has made it even more imperative that we continue to support each other and our children during this time. RIP Mark Chapas.
Can I Leave You with a Song?
One of my favorite duets. I could listen to this over and over and over and over again.