My sister just returned from our aunt’s 90th birthday celebration. All of the cousins and extended family were there to reminisce and reconnect. During the conversation recounting the time she had spent with our family, Pat related something that really struck me.
“We all inherit some trait from our family, either genetically or by family culture,” Pat related. “Of all of the family traits Aunt Francis has, the one I hope I inherited was kindness. Aunt Fran is kind. I want to be remembered for being kind like her.”
Wow.
Pat could’ve chose humor. Or pretty eyes. Or a laugh. But she chose kindness. This was the aunt with her carload of kids and Uncle Tony who we saw the most. Always greeted us with a laugh, a smile and a hug whether it was months or years since we had last seen her. The Wilson household was a dynamic place with kids and pets and laughter. With enough chaos that you just knew Fran had to use humor to manage it all. My sister also has had a relationship with Fran as an adult and, in many ways, has the same kind demeanor and household management style as our favorite aunt. So maybe she came by it naturally as part of the Maynard (our common family) DNA.
Every day I hear stories and encounter many people in all manner of situations. And through it all, the conversations and situations that stand out are when people exhibit kindness–listening to the other person, making eye contact, being positive rather than judgmental. Kindness doesn’t cost you anything and it is really at the heart of the golden rule. Wouldn’t you want to be treated with kindness?
With all of our technology and hurried, busy lives, we often forget the basics. Treating others with empathy and kindness, at the end of the day, will reap you a reward worth more than any monetary gain.
So when you leave for work today, try kindness throughout the day. It might just work wonders for you and those around you.
Relentless
