That goes through my head more times than I can count as I spend innumerable hours behind the computer dreaming up ways to teach my son, and every other child whose parents are willing to join me on my mission, that there is still good in this world. I'm 45 and even though I know better, I STILL fall into the trap of negative self-talk. It makes sense though, right? It takes five positives to cancel out one negative. We are surrounded by negativity EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. You hear it, you see it, you read it, you experience it...sometimes, TAG, YOU ARE IT!
So, every time I feel like people are wondering who the beep I think I am, the rebuttal I rattle off in my head goes something like this, "I am a good person. My intentions are true and based on the experiences I've had in my life. My journey has brought me here. And just for the record, no, I am not perfect, my kid isn't perfect, my husband isn't perfect. As far as I’m concerned there is no such thing! We are human and we are good humans with our hearts in the right place. We are constantly inspired by others and that is simply all we wish to do, offer inspiration and kindness in our own unique way."
SO THERE, take THAT you negative thought!
Then, here comes another one.
People don't understand why you're doing this.
And here I go again, "Because I want to. Because I can. I feel so fortunate every day to be in the position to dedicate and use my time to what feels most important to me. I recognize that everyone does not have the same luxury. I GET to do this, and I GET to do it with Drew. We both learn so much. Kindness has turned into my hobby and my best habit and I LOVE it. I love that despite the negativity, despite my horrific imperfections, despite what anyone thinks, I get to do this with Drew. So why do I care what anyone thinks or understands? I love what I do, I do what I love, and I get to do it with the little boy I love the most. NO FURTHER REBUTTAL REQUIRED."
Can you imagine what it sounds like in the minds of our children? As adults we know better. We know that others don't define who we are; we do. We know that if someone isn't our biggest fan we just move on because clearly that person is not one of our people. Children don't have this built in. Children are surrounded by negativity EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. They hear it, they see it, they read it, they experience it...so doesn't it make perfect sense then that sometimes, tag, they are it.
That negativity, those mistakes they're making, it's the perfect recipe for a...teaching moment. Every time Drew has been called names and harassed to tears, we both learn something. We both grow. Every time Drew has said and done things that were downright awful, we both learn something. We both grow. Like all children, he has a good heart. He is learning and his journey is guided by and will be paved with all the influences around him. It is imperative that he learns how to cope with negativity. Life is a hands-on learning experience for all of us. It's my job to guide Drew as best I can. I try to make learning such hard lessons as fun as I possibly can. I try to give him simple coping strategies that make sense to him. I try to show him what works by letting him see for himself what a difference kindness can make in what so often feels like such a negative world.
I recognize that everyone does not have the same time and resources that I do to commit to this portion of our kids' journey. That's another reason why I feel compelled to share. I love to write, I love to give, I love to help, and I love to create. I've always loved to throw parties so I could come up with themed snacks, gifts and decorations. Come Together with Kindness gives me an outlet for all these things, only it's even better because it's all in the name of kids and kindness. I'm doing it for Drew. I'm doing it for me. I'm doing it for your kids. I'm doing it for you. I'm doing it for strangers I don't know and a ripple effect of kindness I will never see. Because I am a good human and my heart is in the right place. And I truly believe that we have the power to change the world, one corner at a time, one person at a time, one act of kindness at a time.
I'm searching for fellow Corner Changers.
If you know anyone who might be interested in joining me, send them my way! ;)
The Mission Mom
PS We just posted Drew's first original comic, The Misadventures of Dilly & Dally! We have a new and improved system for Corp members/Kindness Kidz to request their free Missions each quarter! Whew!
All those innumerable hours are paying off! ;)
Watch for an email with more details! YAY!