Since November I’ve been trying to up my kindness game. I see that as the only way to get through the next several years; we all need to be kind to one another. I’ve been following you for several years and have made some tokens but I’m quite introverted and need to challenge myself to find the courage to hand them out. I have, …
Since November I’ve been trying to up my kindness game. I see that as the only way to get through the next several years; we all need to be kind to one another. I’ve been following you for several years and have made some tokens but I’m quite introverted and need to challenge myself to find the courage to hand them out. I have, however tried to be much more engaging with people in the service occupations. I try everywhere I go to ask people’s names if not provided and then thank them by name at the end of our interaction. Much of this over the last year or so is because of your influence. :)
I’m looking forward to your book and hope it will include help and ideas for us chickens who need examples of how to hand out our tokens.
Thank you for sharing your journey of intentional kindness with such honesty. You're absolutely right -- these times call for more connection, not less, and your efforts to learn and use people's names is already creating beautiful ripples of recognition.
Being people-averse myself, I completely understand the vulnerability in approaching strangers. Having my mini-me along has helped immensely because people assume she is too shy to hand over a token she made -- somehow the joy is immediate and uncomplicated when a child is involved. It's a lot more awkward for us as adults to receive something from other adults ... we just don't know how to.
But I have also found that when I start the conversation with: "What's your favorite color?" or "wow! it's busy here today. How are you holding up?" it helps get over that initial hurdle. Sometimes I don't say anything and simply slide the token toward them and smile. A conversation usually ensues when they realize it's something I made by hand for them.
I guess, the most important thing is to trust that your desire to connect is itself a gift. The world needs more "chickens" like us who, despite feeling nervous, choose to spread kindness anyway. Keep taking those small, brave steps.
Whether it's learning names or eventually sharing tokens, you're already making more of a difference than you know.
With gratitude for being a kindness ambassador,
Mansi.
P.S. Your ask for practical approaches is brilliant! I am including some suggestions -- gleaned from my personal experiences -- in the book that I hope will be helpful.
Hi Mansi,
Since November I’ve been trying to up my kindness game. I see that as the only way to get through the next several years; we all need to be kind to one another. I’ve been following you for several years and have made some tokens but I’m quite introverted and need to challenge myself to find the courage to hand them out. I have, however tried to be much more engaging with people in the service occupations. I try everywhere I go to ask people’s names if not provided and then thank them by name at the end of our interaction. Much of this over the last year or so is because of your influence. :)
I’m looking forward to your book and hope it will include help and ideas for us chickens who need examples of how to hand out our tokens.
Thanks for your inspiration,
Paula
Dear Paula,
Thank you for sharing your journey of intentional kindness with such honesty. You're absolutely right -- these times call for more connection, not less, and your efforts to learn and use people's names is already creating beautiful ripples of recognition.
Being people-averse myself, I completely understand the vulnerability in approaching strangers. Having my mini-me along has helped immensely because people assume she is too shy to hand over a token she made -- somehow the joy is immediate and uncomplicated when a child is involved. It's a lot more awkward for us as adults to receive something from other adults ... we just don't know how to.
But I have also found that when I start the conversation with: "What's your favorite color?" or "wow! it's busy here today. How are you holding up?" it helps get over that initial hurdle. Sometimes I don't say anything and simply slide the token toward them and smile. A conversation usually ensues when they realize it's something I made by hand for them.
I guess, the most important thing is to trust that your desire to connect is itself a gift. The world needs more "chickens" like us who, despite feeling nervous, choose to spread kindness anyway. Keep taking those small, brave steps.
Whether it's learning names or eventually sharing tokens, you're already making more of a difference than you know.
With gratitude for being a kindness ambassador,
Mansi.
P.S. Your ask for practical approaches is brilliant! I am including some suggestions -- gleaned from my personal experiences -- in the book that I hope will be helpful.