I have some friends who have political opinions I don’t agree with, friends who can be a bit disagreeable, sometimes a bit cranky or unkind. They aren’t perfect. And, they may not be wonderful. However, once I got to know them and understand their circumstances, I realized that they are interesting, complicated people. They are […]
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Pain and hate
by resolutewoman on June 18, 2022 in character, kindness, stress
Why do people cling to their hateful ideas? James Baldwin once explained, “I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.”
Just show up
by resolutewoman on May 28, 2022 in advice, courage, kindness
Author Kate Bowler recently did a podcast with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who offered this advice when it comes to showing up for people in difficult times: Just. Show. Up.
Just be “nice”
by resolutewoman on March 5, 2022 in advice, families, friends, kindness
I never have liked the word “nice.” Somehow, it always seems a bit trite, but the word is packed with a lot of information. That’s why I like this quote by anonymous. “Treat everyone with kindness, even those who are rude to you, not because they are nice but because you are.” –Joy
Remember kindness
by resolutewoman on March 3, 2022 in families, friends, kindness
I sometimes have to remind myself that I can be kind to everyone. “Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not,” Henry James once said. –Joy
Don’t be yourself
by resolutewoman on February 26, 2022 in advice, kindness
I like this quote—a lot. It comes from “anonymous,” and I don’t remember where I found it. “Don’t be yourself. Be someone nicer.” –Joy
Tolerate fools gladly?!
by resolutewoman on January 13, 2022 in change, holidays, kindness, Uncategorized
Be kind. Be kinder. That’s always a good resolution. And, here’s a timely resolution that I received on a Happy New Year 2022 postcard. “New Year’s resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided they get the jab.” The postcard, of course, is a kindly reminder that we all need to get vaccinated and boosted. –Joy
Speak to strangers
by resolutewoman on December 7, 2021 in advice, friends, kindness
Carme, a character in Isabel Allende’s book A Long Petal of the Sea, “resolved to speak to strangers, since she had discovered that people like to talk, and it only took a couple of questions to make friends and find out lots of things.” What’s important about this reminder from Carme? Ask questions! And, listen.
Thanks and giving
by resolutewoman on November 27, 2021 in celebrations, holidays, kindness, thankfulness
My friend Lynn sent me a note with a quote I really like. It’s appropriate for Thanksgiving—and for the entire holiday season. “May your heart be filled with both—thanks and giving!” –Joy
A better literary infrastructure?
by resolutewoman on August 19, 2021 in balance, character, kindness
Tracy Dahlby, a journalism professor at the University of Texas at Austin, argues, in an article in The Dallas Morning News, that this country needs a better literary infrastructure. Today, no worker in words rates the kind of status that Ernest Hemingway had during his lifetime, Dahlby says. “Our quicksilver, digital lives don’t easily tolerate […]
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