Positively Mom Street

“Don’t be yourself — be someone a little nicer.” Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic’s Notebook I really want this blog to be an uplifting, empowering place where we can all speak freely about living and sharing kindness.   But more then anything else – I want it to be a place of truth.  However, truth is not always pretty and Pollyanna.  Truth can be hard, raw and even a bit painful – but I believe that in truth there is beauty. So far, my journey has been focused on doing kind acts for others – mostly random strangers.  There is something really gratifying about helping a stranger.  In one sense it’s an ego boost (look at how kind I am!) and in another sense it’s a heart warmer (they really needed me – I did good today!) but overall it’s about making an immediate, tangible impact. However, I’ve come to realize that I don’t put anywhere near the effort into being kind to my loved ones that I put into being kind to strangers.   It’s not that I don’t think my family de

We just came back from a little family vacation in Vail, CO where we spent several days enjoying the quiet beauty of the mountains.  It’s a total perk  of living in Colorado Springs that we get to take these amazing vacations in our “backyard.”  And Vail, well –  it’s a family favorite. We’ve been going to the same little cabin for 8 years now. A wonderful family in Denver owns it and they always keep our names on their “back up” list in case they have vacancies. I just love feeling like we are truly “part” of this little peace of heaven. The view from our little Vail escape We spent a couple of days biking, hiking and hanging out.   Since I started this blog, I’ve been more aware of what is happening and keep a closer eye on the general comings and goings around me.   The first day I noticed a little guy – probably 3 – all by himself walking from shop to shop.  I stopped and watched him for a few minutes – worried he was truly alone  and not just a bit ahead of his family.  Aft

”Woh, oh, what I want to know, is are you kind?” Uncle John’s Band Grateful Dead How do you capture the spirit of kindness?  Because, really, almost everyone is kind.  At least you’d be hard pressed to find a person that doesn’t think they are a kind soul. “Kindness?  Of course I am kind!  I hold doors open for people, say please and thank you! When someone is sad, I ask what’s wrong. I even brake for animals.  I am the epitome of kindness wrapped up in a big, warm, fuzzy hug.” Yep – everyone IS kind.  At least in a simple, reflexive kind of way – like when the waiter at a restaurant says “Enjoy your meal” and you say “You too.”   Niceties naturally flow from people. So I knew I had to come up with a distinction between everyday kindness and really taking an active stance to be a gracious and caring person.   I’ve decided to break it up into two categories – “unconscious” and “conscious” kindness. Unconscious kindness is easy.  It’s taking a second to recognize a nee