Thoughtful Thursday
Posted by StarChapter on Nov. 18, 2020 / Subscribe 0
Staying Kind During Tough Times By: Sarah Hasnain, Senior Marketing Coordinator, EXP U.S. Services Inc.
It’s safe to say that 2020 has been full of challenges for many of us. I know I’ve personally had many ups and downs this year. But luckily, we have a new year and a fresh start on the horizon!
In the meantime, while we might be facing some struggles it’s uplifting to ask: how can we continue to face each day through the lens of kindness? Because, as we know, tough times aren’t just specific to 2020. Life will always be full of peaks and valleys, regardless of the year.
Choosing the high road can sometimes be exhausting (I’m sure some of you can relate). For example, staying sane when wrongly honked at in traffic or when a loved one says hurtful things can be tough. Holding our breath and choosing to do better doesn’t always come naturally but, regardless of the situation, we benefit from kindness.
When anger strikes or when we’ve been hurt, take a moment and stay calm before responding. Find a reason to be the bigger person; find a way to defuse conflict with love, because we know bitterness only fuels the fire. We never know what other people are going through for them to react in a certain manner so make it a priority to fill that space with love when given the chance.
It’s also amazing to see the impact we can have on someone when choosing the path of kindness. When kindness remains a priority, our ability to navigate the good, the bad and everything in between increases tenfold! For instance, here are recent stories SMPS members shared from their pasts where they received acts of kindness:
“I was pretty young, traveling in a foreign country, fell asleep on the train and woke up at the end of the line around midnight in a fairly desolate industrial area. A gentleman saw my distress and walked me to the nearest hotel; he gave them instructions on what I needed to get back to the station in the morning and to my destination. I never even got his name, but I’ll never forget his kindness.”
–Lisa Raggio, Marketing & Business Development, Graphic Solutions
“These past few months, I’ve had to do some homework on real estate development and underwriting to improve my knowledge of the industry and understand what my clients are looking for. I’m astonished at how many people have taken the time to answer all my questions, share their stories and experiences, offer to review proformas and contracts with me, and invited me out to their developments for a learning opportunity. I knew our industry was generally a friendly one, but I am so grateful to have experienced such a willingness to help from all the developers and investors I’ve reached out to. I’m learning so much and will most definitely pay it forward if ever called upon to help someone else!”
-Marissa Feliciano, Business Development Manager, HPI Architecture
Stories like this embody how kindness can affect others in ways we couldn’t imagine. Even something small like sharing a compliment on someone’s wardrobe, holding the door for someone or simply smiling at a stranger may not feel like the biggest act of kindness but it has the impact of changing someone’s day for the better.
If we have the power to make others feel good, shouldn’t we do more of it? I’ve noticed that when I go out of my way to provide a random act of kindness, I also instantly feel better and I notice how it affects my day positively. So, when we are all struggling, make a conscious decision to stay kind because when we feel good about how we show up to society, the world notices and it will be a better place because of it.
I know our community is full of light and love and I tapped into our SMPS members to see how they have showed random acts of kindness:
“Not too long ago in the pre-pandemic world, I was shopping at Vons and noticed a young quadriplegic man in a wheelchair who was having difficulty navigating his way around the store. I went up to him and introduced myself and asked if I could help him with his shopping. He smiled and said, yes, he would appreciate that. So we went around the store and talked as I got the items off the shelves that he wanted. I went with him through the checkout and got him to the place where he was going to be picked up. We exchanged phone numbers and kept in touch for awhile. He told me how much he appreciated my help. More than that, I think he just wanted to be accepted as a normal person who just happened to be unable to move his body.“
-Elizabeth Bateman, Marketing & Business Development, Bateman Communications
“Every Monday I write a positive quote or affirmation for my coworkers to read on my whiteboard. It’s the small things that make a big difference when someone is having a hard time – including keeping myself a little sane during these trying times.”
-Marcella Garofalo, Marketing Manager, Lusardi Construction Company
“Out of the blue, I received an envelope at my house from one of my coworkers. What I found inside was a pair of earrings and a note saying “…just sending you a small gift to let you know how much I appreciate you, hope to see you wearing these on zoom!” This personal gesture made me so happy and I realized that even though we aren’t face to face with each other like we used to be, there are still ways you can brighten someone’s day.”
-Caroline Jones, Marketing & Business Development Manager, RNT Architects
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