Why is kindness important? Well, if you ask me - which you didn't - but please call your thoughts to attention for this very moment with me. If you ask me, kindness is sewn into the roots of every tree that gives us breath. Kindness is sprinkled over every flower petal when it reminds us that beauty blooms everywhere. Kindness is when the sun shines through dark clouds, or when cold rain reflects city lights on the wet pavement streets- humming to us the rhythm of darkness bowing down. Kindness is in honoring the earth under our feet and acknowledging the burdens of others unbeknownst to us. It displays itself when we step out of our own realm, swallow our pride, and say we are sorry. It is shared in a cup of coffee. It is contagious in bouts of laughter. Kindness is planted in a hug when words hold no meaning.

Kindness is everywhere. Nature has the blessing of holding kindness in its bones. But for us, being kind to others is our choice. Being kind to others can not be defined by who deserves it. It's easy to be tender to someone who makes us feel loved and important. But being kind to someone who we feel doesn't deserve it is powerful altogether. Because at some point or another, we received a kindness we didn't deserve. It really comes down to who we want to be. Being kind doesn't mean we aren't passionate, fierce or bold. It doesn't mean we don't speak our mind or engage in constructive confrontation. We can do all things in kindness. But it's up to us; it's our choice.

Choosing kindness has changed my life. I've become much bolder in my voice and more compassionate with myself. Being kind to others has reminded me, day in and day out, to be kind to myself. Imagine this; when you are kind to others, you become that sun shining through dark clouds. Or maybe you remind them that just as pretty flower petals bloom out of dirt, beauty is waiting for them in their desert place. Maybe your kindness reminds them that as this world tries to convince us that we are heading towards inevitable doom - that maybe, just maybe, this darkness is running out of room. Maybe there is hope to hold onto during this season of dark deep awareness and shifting tides. Maybe using your voice to defend the weak reminds others that gentleness is found when you take a stand for hope. When taking a stand doesn't mean stomping others to the ground or drowning out their voice.

Kindness doesn't have to mean anything to you, but it does mean everything to this world. It may not be what some people deserve, but I promise, the impact it will have on you is life changing. You are the encounter our world needs. There is a hope in you that will remind this world kindness is the underlying current to our future. Will you run forward with me? Sharing kindness and planting hope? Come on, run forward in kindness with me, the generations following us are waiting.