The View From Here – Stage 3 Hesitation And Kindness

Stage 3 of the province’s reopening plan is now in effect.  We get to eat INSIDE the restaurant now.  At tables, with people, and ambience.  (smile)  We can go to the gym and work off those extra pandemic pounds which never want to go away completely no matter how hard I try.   We can go to movies again and sit in a theatre with other people, and whisper “keep it down” when the good part of the movie comes on.  We can go to concerts, and theatres and do things again we used to love to do.

Weird isn’t it?

Anybody else feel like it’s a test, and you’re wondering if we’re all just being punked and somebody somewhere is going to pull back a curtain on Monday and say “Gotcha!  Not yet.  Go back to lockdown.  I’m just messing with you. ”  Anybody else almost AFRAID to jump back in and feel excited about the reopening for fear it won’t last?

I’m kinda on the fence right now.  I’m kinda waiting to see what happens before I embrace the freedom of doing fun things again.  I’ve got a gift certificate for a facial I can’t wait to use.  I’ve got plans for a haircut and style, ready for big change.  These eyebrows need to be tamed.

I’m ready.  But I’m not.

Today’s feel good Friday is all about kindness.  I hope kindness comes back.   I hope the reopening helps people find their joy again.  Less anxiousness.  More kindness.

I wonder if when we talk about kindness, we remember to treat ourselves with the same kindness we are encouraged to show to others.  Because I don’t know about you, but I can be my own worst enemy.  I can be a real bully.  I can look in the mirror and say things to myself I wouldn’t say to anybody else.

I think I’m a kind person, but not always to myself.  I save the ugly things for me, and I’m not sure why.  We need to remember to treat ourselves the way we treat others.  How do you talk to your kids, or your best friend?  Would you cut them down the way you cut yourself down?  Would you call them stupid, fat, ugly, lazy?  I’ve used those words on myself.  More than I’d like to admit.  I’ve probably used them in the last week.  Even days.

We’ve been through a LOT in the last year and a half, and I think in a lot of ways it’s changed us.  Some ways good, some ways bad.

As we start to get out there again, and do those things we used to love to do, and we’re dealing with others – remember kindness.  Sprinkle it wherever you go, and make sure you sprinkle it on yourself.  Spreading kindness not only helps those around us, but it also can impact your own mood, self-esteem, happiness and reduce your STRESS!

Be kind.  To others and yourself.

Here’s to stage 3.   And all that comes with it.

Categorised in: Afternoons

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan