kindness, now more than ever...

November 9th- There is a kind of instinctual fear that comes from deep in your gut, it warns you and sometimes even protects you...it asks you to fight or flee...and the thing is, we are all different. So many threats loom against our hearts, our health, our security, our honor, our rights for some of us to simply be. 

Some of us will now run to the front and fight fiercely, others will run to the safest place they can find, some have already fought long hard battles and know how to stand, come what may... but no matter what your heart tells you to do or how to respond, I know this...
*we will need kindness now more than ever*
- a deep, deep intentional kindness to band around each other, to hold each other close, to protect the most vulnerable, to provide respite for the warriors, to let the most beautiful human parts of our selves find each other in the darkest fear. 

...and we can start small my friends. Invite your neighbor over for coffee/ tea this morning, send a text of LOVE to our LGBTQ friends, make a donation to Black and Latinx organizations/nonprofits, pray for a Muslim family, drop soup and bread on someone's doorstep, be extra kind to every checkout person you encounter who will no doubt be on the front line of every emotion today, drive like your baby was in everyone else's car, take someone out for a beer, light candles, ask someone older to tell you a story, make worry boxes with your kids, do a little extra at work to relieve someone else, be so tender with all your sadness and worry that you feel. 

Our hope lies in our shared humanity rising...in compassion rising, in empathy rising, in kindness rising- nothing can touch that. 

For years I had this candle on my kitchen table and it held my thoughts/worries, my kids, friends, various people that came through our door, even strangers- it was the one thing I did when I had no idea what else to do....today the candle is lit for you. You are welcome to leave your worry in a comment here or text me at (804) 426-2357- I will write it on the paper for you, for your loved ones, even if we've never met. You can also share one kind act you plan to do today. 

I love you, each and every one of you...and I believe in kindness like never before, I believe in a divine togetherness, I believe in us.