Traveling for business has a trickle down effect on my world. I love the adventures that going to airports and meeting new people bring. (This round I did a pre-show that involved my briefcase which held my macbook pro AND my tablet being in a tussle with my Vroomhilda*, and Vroomhilda won) There are the challenges before the trip such as planning how to get child from practice A to B, the challenges of thinking through how to make life easier on my dear husband. (the children can only do so many nights of Hamburger Helper before revolting) and last but not least, how to plan for whatever may be slung at me in my role as Strategist. (shall we say that my wardrobe has to flex, I do barns to 5th Avenue in the same days some days!)
You know it never fails though, that when I come home, I see my own world, my home, as a brand new place. There is something about visiting show homes, living in hotels, or even traveling to family that helps us have “new eyes” for our own spaces, attitudes, and outcomes. Can I get an “Amen” on that one? I always come home more thankful, more aware of my blessings, and aware of things to appreciate. How about you?
You don’t travel? Feeling the doldrums of dulled sensitivity. Try something local. For me, it’s about spending time in service to others, spending time looking through an open house or two, spending time hearing the needs of others that always perks my heart and my ears to just how blessed I am. This trip I saw a lovely home, I saw two lovely hearts, I had dinner with a couple who exemplified ease with each other. It reminded me of how important gracious words are, how kindness shows in deeds, how special isn’t the menu but the way conversations are handled. This adventure included hotel staff at two different hotels over five days, four dinners and business luncheons with different folks and a whole lot of snow images outside a lovely hotel. What stood out?
Kindness.
Kindness matters. How we treat each other and how we respond to others when they are unkind. This year as I continue to focus on the year of allowing in 2014, I will purposefully allow kindness to be my response tone regardless of what is hurled at me. It stood out so clearly as I watched customer care take a difficult turn in a difficult situation for the concierge would not allow unkind words or actions change his response tone, speed, or intention. How many times does someone else’s speed of speech, tone of speech or action change our response?
Kindness matters and it’s contagious. We all like to be heard, to be responded to, and to know that we mattered. How is kindness revealing itself in your daily life? How is kindness happening within your family and/or relationships daily? Are you revealing it to yourself too?
Things to think on:
When I am kind to myself I am allowing others frictions, stresses, and frazzles to be their own while supporting an environment that lends them a kind response when they may need one!
*Vroomhilda is our 1999 VW Cabrio Convertible who has a personality all her own.
