• About Be Kind & Co
  • Contributors
  • Contact
  • Shop
Sunday, September 24, 2023
No Result
View All Result
BE KIND & CO
NEWSLETTER
Shop Now
BE KIND & CO
No Result
View All Result
BE KIND & CO
No Result
View All Result

Redefining Kindness

Lu ParkerbyLu Parker
August 7, 2020
in Inspiration
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

It’s your strength, not your weakness.

Recently, I was talking with some girlfriends and one of them said, “I’ve been trying so hard to be more kind, but damn, it’s hard to do.”

I totally understand my friend’s frustration. I get that it’s much easier to be negative, or lash out at someone, or decide that being kind is useless. But just like getting in shape, or changing a bad habit, cultivating kindness in our hearts and incorporating it into our daily practice takes work.

For example, when someone annoys you at home, in traffic, or at the office, the kind way to react often begins with looking at the situation from their perspective. What is going on in their life that is causing them to act so erratically? Again, it’s not easy to stop and think from that perspective in the moment, but rather than lashing back, which makes no one feel better, try being silent. Listen. Breathe. Wave them through the line of traffic.  

Just like we see and feel negative energy build over time, we can also feel kindness in the form of small acts— a compliment, a listening ear, not honking at the person in front of you to go faster. Those small acts build collectively over time, and can hopefully begin to negate the negatives we see around us.

My goal is to help us redefine the word kindness and accept the idea that kindness can be your strength, not your weakness. I continue to have opportunities to share that message with others. Sharing my personal struggles and setbacks on stage has allowed me to see more clearly that none of us are perfect, and that’s okay. Though we strive to be good people, sometimes we stumble in life. Life throws us curveballs. We lose our way. But keeping kindness close to our hearts and never giving up on it allows us to find our way back with a bit more ease.

I was reminded of this point at an event last month that focused on children in LA County’s foster care system. I accepted an award on behalf of KTLA from Raise A Child, a non-profit that connects foster children and prospective parents. Richard Valenza started this organization, and they come on our KTLA 3 p.m. newscast monthly to share success stories.

I often tell the story of a young foster preteen who was on our show earlier this year. He was polite, had a big smile and was like any preteen, a little shy and quiet on set. But as the segment evolved, this young boy told me he would like to share something on air. We said okay. He then proceeded to say he was looking for a good home. He promised he would be a good boy. He said he would behave. To watch this young boy essentially pleading for love broke my heart. It reminded me that we are all essentially pleading for love. It’s really all we want. So with that said, let’s be more loving and kind to one another. You know what that means. Now go and do it.

XO

Lu Parker

P.S. The good news: the young boy is now in the process of getting into a foster home. Someone saw him on KTLA and responded.

Previous Post

Kindness and Masculinity

Next Post

Do you have the answer?

Related Posts

The ABC’s of Back-to-School Kindness

byBe Kind & Co.
August 27, 2023

The final bell is about to ring on summer break. Whether your kids are already back in the classroom or about to be, we are here to help empower your little ones...

Woman sitting with legs crossed. She has candles and crystals placed on the ground in front of her.

Cultivating Self Care and Success with Crystals

byBe Kind & Co.
July 27, 2023

In a world of lots of uncertainty and the constant grind of hustle and stress, many people are now turning to the healing power of crystals as part of a holistic approach...

8 Simple Tips to a Less-Stressed You

byBe Kind & Co.
May 17, 2023

We're in the thick of Spring. Birds are chirping. Flowers are blooming and hopefully that seasonal depression is melting away with the warmer temperatures. While May might put a spring in your...

How Your Kindness Helps to Heal Mother Earth

byBe Kind & Co.
April 20, 2023

Every year we celebrate Earth Day in April, but did you know it was just another day until 1970? That’s right, back before the EPA, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act were even...

Woman sitting in a cabana in front of a luxury tent in the middle of a tropical forest.

How to be a ‘Conscious Tourist’ and Plot Out Your Next Adventure With Kindness

byBe Kind & Co.
May 16, 2023

Ready to hit the road?  Get in line.  Millions will be hitting the highways and taking to the skies to soak up the sun on a beach or find some adventure at...

Next Post

Do you have the answer?

Helping Our Pets Age With Grace

This YouTube Documentary Will Inspire You Live a Life You Are Proud Of

JOIN THE BE KIND & CO COMMUNITY

Facebook Twitter Instagram

MOST RECENT STORIES

The ABC’s of Back-to-School Kindness

August 27, 2023
Woman sitting with legs crossed. She has candles and crystals placed on the ground in front of her.

Cultivating Self Care and Success with Crystals

July 27, 2023

8 Simple Tips to a Less-Stressed You

May 17, 2023

How Your Kindness Helps to Heal Mother Earth

April 20, 2023
Woman sitting in a cabana in front of a luxury tent in the middle of a tropical forest.

How to be a ‘Conscious Tourist’ and Plot Out Your Next Adventure With Kindness

May 16, 2023

WomanKIND: Jordyn Weekly

March 30, 2023
BE KIND & CO

© 2023 Be Kind & Co. All Rights Reserved. Proudly Published & Powered by STORIFIED with kindness.

Navigate Be Kind & Co

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Health & Fitness
  • Inspiration
  • Interviews
  • Relationships
  • Pets
  • Workplace
  • Favorite Things
  • Press

Join the Be Kind & Co Community

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Inspiration
  • Interviews
  • Favorite Things
  • Health & Fitness
  • Relationships
  • Workplace
  • Pets
  • Press
  • Contributors
  • Welcome to Be Kind & Co
  • Be Kind & Co Newsletter
  • Contact Be Kind & Co

© 2023 Be Kind & Co. All Rights Reserved. Proudly Published & Powered by STORIFIED with kindness.