KINDNESS

“Mommy…why do you dislike Donald Trump so much?”

Woah, that is quite the question for the 7:30 school drop off.

Now, I am not looking to make this Blog political so let’s leave politics out of it. Republic, Democrat, Independent…here’s a fist bump. More power to you.

That said, Zoe asked a question and she deserves an answer.

After some reflection, I think I identified the crux of my distaste – the single thing that makes me truly dislike Trump, no matter his title, his political views, no matter his actions. It boils down to respect.

I won’t delve into whether or not he is capable of learning it or whether or not he actually has to at this point in his life. It is really irrelevant to me.

But it did get me thinking about myself. If I look back at the things that have really hit home for me, the people or actions that have prompted a storm within me, there is a recurring theme, respect, or rather, a lack thereof. It is simply something I cannot stomach. It makes me angry, and has, on occasion triggered me to react very, very strongly.

Everyone has triggers, things they simply cannot overlook. I’ve seen many people face disrespect and shrug it off.

I simply cannot.

I get upset when I see someone mistreat a server at Tim Horton’s. I scream inside when I see someone cut in line. I cannot work for a boss that mistreats his employees. I cannot overlook a sexist/racist/xxxist comment. No matter the extent of the infraction, being disrespectful irks me in a way nothing else can.

Why? Quite simply, it is because it is unkind. And I don’t like unkind behaviour. And that is exactly what I said to Zoe. My Zoe, whose heart is so big but who also has a strong desire to be right, to adhere to the rules.

I shared with her a life lesson I’ve seen in several books. “Zoe, my sweet Zoe, if ever you are faced between being right and being kind, try to be kind.”

Don’t get me wrong. I am no Pollyanna. I can be unkind and stubborn and I love being right. And there will be situations where this philosophy won’t work (cutthroat business for one) but as a general rule of thumb, I think it has served me well in life.

Being kind does not mean being soft, being weak or constantly putting others ahead of you. Sometimes, being kind, can even mean hurting someone…at least in the short term. I’m still learning this.

And I have 2 funny, crazy, sweet, unpredictable girls to learn with me.