Inspiration is all around–Inspired to be kind

It’s week 6 of the kindness challenge.  This week’s challenge is to think about who challenges you to live a more kind and gentle life.
For me, inspiration is all around.  First and foremost, it’s the children.  My own children, of course.  And the children of my heart–my daughters’ friends who spent a lot of time here when they were younger.  And of course, all the children I’ve had the honor to work with over the years and even the children I see when I’m out and about.  They all inspire me to be kind, to remember that people are doing the best they can–that I am doing the best I can.

This poem expresses for me both what our children give to us and also what I can offer them.  As parents, we want to give our children everything.  But often these days, it shows up as a lot of stuff.  But what better things can we give them than love, a place to dream, a safe haven for them to be loved for who they are.

And if we let them, they teach us about wonder, and magic.  They love us even if we aren’t perfect (which we never are) and in spite of our mistakes and rough edges.
I am also inspired by people who love children–parents, of course, but also teachers and authors who write for and about children.
Kim John Payne is a great inspiration to me.  In Simplicity Parenting, he reminds us that “when your child seems to deserve affection least, that’s when they need it most.”  He reminds us that it is a gift to give a child an abundance of time and space instead of an abundance of stuff and a too full schedule.
I also think of all the authors whose books I’ve read as a child and an adult that help children understand the world and themselves and the wonder and magic (yes, again!) that is all around us.
I could go on and on.  I’ve been blessed with many kind people in my life.  But I will leave it here for now.
Many thanks for stopping by!
Until next time….