Embrace Kindness. An easy concept to understand but not always the easiest to exercise. It’s easy to embrace the kindness of others – I mean, I always take note or talk about the kindness that friends/family/strangers bestow on me. But being kind to someone who is not nice, that’s a bit harder! There have been so many incidents in which I’ve been taken aback by the negative energy that someone presents and it’s thrown me off. Instead of taking a breath and making the conscious decision to be kind, my brain stops working and I instantly react to match that energy.
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PHOTOS BY: DORESE JENAE PORTRAITS
For example, I had a recent encounter with someone that didn’t end well. I was minding my business when the person bumped into me. Thinking it was my fault – cause you know, clumsy, I started apologizing for not paying attention. Instead of the usual response of that’s okay or no worries, this person quickly responded back with, yeah it’s your fault, you need to pay attention to where you’re going.
With an elevated pulse and my ears getting hot – instant signs that I’m about to pop off – I again apologized but it was clear that this individual was looking for trouble and didn’t accept my apology. Instead of just walking away, I decided I had time that day and went off on this person. The individual quickly learned they picked the wrong one and sauntered off.
After that encounter, I felt awful and my brain literally replayed that scenario multiple times and I agonized over the many ways that I could’ve handed that all better. I think about all the different things that I couldn’t have said or even considered to help diffuse the situation. Like, they were clearly having a bad day that had nothing to do with me yet I choose violence – with my words – rather than kindness.
After that encounter, I try my best to operate in kindness. Whether the person ‘deserves’ it or not. So this means giving people the benefit of doubt or assuming that they are operating with the best intentions. Does that mean that it happens all the time? No, but I am more aware of making the effort to choose kindness and I think that’s making me a better person.
OUTFIT DETAILS
When I purchased this shirt from Target, I didn’t imagine that I would even write a blog post about the message that it conveys but I’m glad that I did. So, let get into this look. This is by far the softest tee that I ever purchased from Target. When you purchase your own, be sure to size up because it runs a bit small. I am typically a medium in shirts and had to get large. I purchased these pants from Zara, my first Zara purchase in years. I forgot why I stopped buying from Zara but I’m happy to be back. These pants, while high waisted, run a bit small so be sure to size up. Finally, the shoes. If you younger me would know how much I’d be drawn to sneakers, she would laugh. I’m really loving Nike’s Air Max collection. Mostly because, like me, they are pretty colorful. When I landed on this pair, I just knew it was meant to be.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO EMBRACE KINDNESS?
SHOP THE LOOK!
Target Tee || Zara Pants || Nike Air Max Excee || Missoma Necklace || Mejuri Necklace || JollofBoutique Liberia Necklace || Garmin watch || Wet N Wild Nice to Fuschia
