When I think about what I really want to do with my life--how I want to be remembered--what mark I want to leave on the world, here is the one thing I know for sure:

I want to leave the world a kinder place.

{I feel like if this was a vlog or podcast we would break into "You may say I'm a dreamer.  You're not the only one."}

It sounds so lofty, but really it is about being intentional and mindful and compassionate.  Those are really very simple concepts.  It is the ongoing practice of them in life that is difficult and therefore dismissed as lofty.

We must be taught these amazing aspects of human existence.  We must practice and meet them like a stranger every day.

And so how do we teach children to choose kindness?  I have lots of fun ideas, but I'm going to start with the most difficult one.  We teach children kindness by treating them with kindness and respect and responding rather than reacting to them.  {This is really difficult, people, but it's so worthy of us!}

The first step to responding rather than reacting is taking a moment to ask ourselves what is going on here before we say or do anything.  Sometimes I have to walk away from the situation to do this!  Just practice this step.  The more I practice the easier it becomes and the clearer the needed response becomes.

It's also lovely to have our kids see us practice this with ourselves and other people.

The first step to teaching kids to choose kindness is to model with them responding instead of reacting!