World Kindness Day passed me by. It was last Friday, the 13th.
Hmm.
With all the unnecessary and unproductive vitriol that has managed to creep into our days, I think more and more about how my parents, especially Mom, raised my siblings and me to maintain a positive outlook on life because it gets us through difficult times. We used our imaginations to keep our minds busy and creative. Mom practiced kindness. Not that she let anyone bulldoze over her. She saved that energy for moments she needed to stand her ground – and even then, she managed to do it with grace. On weekend mornings she put on the record player and blasted music of all genres – classical, country and instrumentals -- to get us to rise early.
Enter Dolly Parton, an American songwriter, singer, country music icon, and humanitarian, among other lofty titles. She, too, is tired of the negativity in our country today. “I think we’ve just become so divided, ‘cause people just seem to love to hate. You know?” she voiced on the “Today” show.
This inspired Dolly to cut her first album in 30 years, titled “Holly Dolly Christmas.” We need to carry that Christmas spirit of peace on Earth and loving one another, said Dolly. We need to carry that into the new year. She wrote some original pieces and created new takes on old classics. I listened to “Christmas Is,” her beautiful duet with Miley Cyrus. You don’t have to believe in Christmas to feel the simple meanings of kindness and caring. The season is about the haves and have-nots because you can be either one.
It’s time to spread some Kindness. A little goes a long way.