🧠Weekly Mind Sweep #99| What’s On My Mind | Kindness
November 2023
Week 96: Curated Conversation; Kindness
Week 97: Mind Your Business; Kindness
Week 98: Manage Your Mind; Kindness
*Week 99: What’s On My Mind; Kindness
New to the Weekly MindSweep? Past issues live here.
Let’s sweep the brain…
This is the face of kindness.
My grandmother is 86.
She has lived and breathed kindness her whole life, serving her family, physical and religious communities, and the elder community.
As a child, my mom often relied on family support so that she could work, and my grandparent's home was where I spent quite a bit of time. When I reflect on this time, I recall memories that:
We volunteered to support church dinners. Grandad would cook. Grandmom and I would set up, clean up, and help serve the food.
We walked to raise money for cancer research
We sold Tootsie Rolls for the Knights of Columbus
We gathered items for a neighborhood yard sale to raise money for local charities
We worked at local senior centers, cooking, serving, and cleaning
We brought meals to neighbors during times of need
We greeted church members each Sunday as they entered the church
We donated money in the Salvation Army bucket whenever we saw a bellringer
We generously offered to the Veterans for our yearly poppy
And more [1]
I witnessed extreme kindness, generosity, and gratitude at a very young age. Kindness is in our nature and our nurture.
Kindness shaped my character.
As I prepared to see my grandmother this fall, my well-laid plan of when and where I would travel from, as well as when I would arrive was turned up on its head. It was the most beautiful experience to be fully present and aware of so many things we've discussed in Curated Conversations. [2]
While my travel experience touched on every topic we've covered this year, kindness was at the top of my mind, and I sprinkled that sh*t everywhere I went.
On the phone with Jet Blue after they canceled my flight and rebooked me out of a different airport, in a different state, at a different time. I was kind and understanding. The person on the other end thanked me for my kindness and compassion
At Enterprise, when I arrived a day late, at midnight, a young man had to tell me he didn't have the car I reserved but could give me a free upgrade to a brand-new Jeep Wrangler [3]
At the hotel, when I arrived late and exhausted, there was confusion about why I was a day late even though I had called the day before to let them know
With my grandmother who moves a little slower than when I saw her in the spring. She had a list of things to accomplish while I was there, and even with a shortened stay, we achieved it all!
I chose kindness every time.
*Sprinkling Kindness during my travels
Did I have moments when I was tired, and it was more difficult?
Yes.
Did I have moments when I was frustrated that things didn't go as planned or expected?
Yes.
Did I have uncomfortable feelings about being able to return home when I planned?
Yes.
Did I survive every one of those moments?
Yes.
Each time, I practiced the power of the pause, accepting the present, and choosing kindness.
What I noticed:
People were kinder in return
People were caught off guard at my kind responses
People were willing to make more eye contact with me
I was offered assistance, upgrades, discounts, and generosity without asking for a thing.
And look at this seat Jet Blue put me in for my return trip!
Kindness is not only being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Kindness is a way of relationship.
Kindness is a way of entrepreneurship.
Kindness is a way of business.
Kindness is a way of life.
Where has kindness shown up for you this month?
Are you ready to build a business you are proud of?
Let’s discuss how kindness can support your business.
A place for my digressions.
[1] This short list is only a snapshot of the giving I witnessed from my grandparents. I'll save the rest for my memoir someday.
[2] 2023 Curated Conversation Topics: Ego, Neurodiversity, Capacity, Relationship, Patience, Intent, Permission, Compassion, Decision, Failure and Kindness. I'll be REFLECTING on all of these next week!
[3] No, Grandmom could not get into a Jeep Wrangler, so we joyfully accepted our Nissan Kick!
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What I’m reading
Tough Titties by Laura Belgray
What does it take to grow up cool and popular, master adulthood, fast track your success, and always be your best? Laura Belgray wouldn’t know.
Tough Titties is one big permission slip to be a dork, a sometimes-unspiritual slacker, a late bloomer and, ultimately, 100% yourself. It’ll also have you snort-laughing in public and tapping whoever’s nearby to say, “Lemme read you one more part!” Which is annoying, but tough titties.
Thank you Karen Kossow of Out of Your Ordinary for this fun read!
What I’m listening to:
WorkLife with Adam Grant
The art of rough drafts with George Saunders
Before his stories regularly appeared in The New Yorker, before the MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships, and before being named one of the world’s most influential people by TIME, George Saunders was a roofer. And a doorman. And a technical writer. In this episode, George sits down with Adam and shares what he’s learned from his winding path towards becoming a professional author, the secrets of creating work that sticks, and how to receive feedback and elevate our rough drafts.
You’ll recognize topics of ego and nice vs kind inside this episode!
Collaborations!
MetroWest Chamber
Bring Your Laptop & Coffee to this Unique Session with Shannon & Me!
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Friday December 1st, 2023
9am-11am
Free to Attend; Registration is Required
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