December 27, 2019
By Jim Strawn
So, as 2019 winds to a close, I have had a lot of down time on my hands. After an elective surgery, I found myself laying on my back. From my bed to the couch, then back to bed. Lots of time to think, reflect, read, wonder, daydream, contemplate, speculate and deliberate.
Here is what I have come up with. Not necessarily a resolution, more of a movement or ministry. And certainly not earth-shatteringly new or any type of rocket science.
The movement is #BeKindToday. Simple and straight to the point.
I am tired, I mean really tired of the hate, disdain, hostility and scorn we are exposed to. Not just a daily occurrence, but on an hourly rate.
It may not make a HUGE impact, but if enough of us post daily, we may change a behavior of two.
As Bob Kerrey once said, “Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly and most underrated agent of human change.”
I would like to put a dent in the human change in 2020. Of course, I will need some Kindness Agents.
Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
It is one of those ‘soft skills’ that corporate America is looking for in young job-seekers. Affection, gentleness, warmth, empathy, concern, dependability and care are words that are associated with kindness. Some people think being kind is being weak, au contraire my friend. Being kind often requires courage and strength. It takes a strong person to treat people as they would like to be treated, especially after being treated poorly. Kindness is an interpersonal skill that as exercised, becomes stronger.
Thus, the movement, #BeKindToday. The more we exercise our kindness, the more lives we can touch and possibly change.
I am no Fred Rogers, but I am committing my 2020 to being kinder.
Who is with me?
I will post a #BeKindToday image daily on all my social sites. Feel free to share them. I encourage you to share them.
Or maybe post your own image or your own story. But let’s always hashtag #BeKindToday.
Mother Teresa once stated, “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”
Let’s do this. Let’s begin January 1, 2020.
The goal is 2 million impressions on social media by December 31, 2020.
Feel free to share this with whoever you think might want to be a part of our movement.
Thank you, let’s make it a #BeKindToday 2020.
Call me with any questions at 304-541-4756 or email JamesWStrawn@Gmail.com.
