Nov 21, 2023·edited Nov 21, 2023Liked by Heather Brebaugh
Heather, you went from preaching to meddling this time, but in a good way.
Kind words can change the entire arc of someone’s life. A few kind words changed the arc of my life. When I was broken beyond my own capacity for hope, a kind doctor who has since become my beloved brother asked me to tell him my story during my first consultation with him. I told him the tl;dr version of my career as an aid worker because I thought he was simply being polite and besides, who really wants to hear someone’s tale of woe?
When I finished, I noticed his eyes were a little moist, and he said, “Switter, thank you for your service.” No one had ever said those words to Switter before. Switter didn’t want to hear those words at first because they didn’t seem to fit. Maybe for soldier or a fireman, but not Switter. Then I realized, because of his sincerity, that I chose in my way to serve, too, and my kind, perceptive doctor gave me exactly the medicine I needed. Healing words. Words of wonder.
And I will think about that YouTube message all day long. It’s a beautiful day.
Words are so powerful. It makes perfect sense in an ever-shrinking world to use them carefully and that would mean kindly. Thank you Heather for reminding us.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately, Heather. We would all like to spread kindness globally right now and it seems impossible, but we can affect our local world. Kindness to even one person is a start. I have a post on kindness coming out on Saturday regarding kindness to our service workers - waiters, cashiers, clerks. I was channelling my inner Heather. Thank you always for the inspiration.
Being kind makes my day. Yesterday the grocery store was packed— especially the Baking aisle. Yet everyone was kind and patient. We all waited patiently while that gal tried to find the sage amongst spices and when she noticed us waiting she apologized sweetly. When she moved her cart we said Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.
Heather, you went from preaching to meddling this time, but in a good way.
Kind words can change the entire arc of someone’s life. A few kind words changed the arc of my life. When I was broken beyond my own capacity for hope, a kind doctor who has since become my beloved brother asked me to tell him my story during my first consultation with him. I told him the tl;dr version of my career as an aid worker because I thought he was simply being polite and besides, who really wants to hear someone’s tale of woe?
When I finished, I noticed his eyes were a little moist, and he said, “Switter, thank you for your service.” No one had ever said those words to Switter before. Switter didn’t want to hear those words at first because they didn’t seem to fit. Maybe for soldier or a fireman, but not Switter. Then I realized, because of his sincerity, that I chose in my way to serve, too, and my kind, perceptive doctor gave me exactly the medicine I needed. Healing words. Words of wonder.
And I will think about that YouTube message all day long. It’s a beautiful day.
Happy Kind Word Day, kind Heather.
Heather, as always, your kind words mean the world. Thank you for initiating this project and for bringing more kindness into the world every day. ❤️
Words are so powerful. It makes perfect sense in an ever-shrinking world to use them carefully and that would mean kindly. Thank you Heather for reminding us.
Thank you for that video. Tears? Probably just my allergies.
Happy Word Kindness Day. As the say in Ireland: "A kind word never broke a tooth."
I have been thinking about this a lot lately, Heather. We would all like to spread kindness globally right now and it seems impossible, but we can affect our local world. Kindness to even one person is a start. I have a post on kindness coming out on Saturday regarding kindness to our service workers - waiters, cashiers, clerks. I was channelling my inner Heather. Thank you always for the inspiration.
Being kind makes my day. Yesterday the grocery store was packed— especially the Baking aisle. Yet everyone was kind and patient. We all waited patiently while that gal tried to find the sage amongst spices and when she noticed us waiting she apologized sweetly. When she moved her cart we said Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Word Kindness Day Heather 🤍
Absolutely love this 💡
Thank you for being so generous 🙏
My Substack is about helping people Thrive Now and in the Future - through a Kindness Lens.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jrnowwhat?r=4a721&utm_medium=ios
You make our world brighter and more energizing through your words and perspectives, Heather. Thank you!