Don't Mistake My Kindness for Weakness

It's a common misconception, isn't it? That because a person is quiet and amicable that they are easy to manipulate or mistreat. I am kinder because of years of therapy, counseling, and seeing life through the eyes of a recent widow.

However, that kindness was tested just the other day. I was dealing with a truly nasty, condescending person who had no idea that the calm I showed them was a hard-won victory. A few years ago, before I started therapy, that kind of disrespect would have unleashed a torrent of well-chosen, cutting words. I had a whole arsenal of eloquent insults ready to go, designed to slice through arrogance with surgical precision.

But that's not me anymore. My kindness is a deliberate choice to see the humanity in others, even when it's hard. It's a refusal to let my emotions and anger turn me into a foul mouth sailor. (I was married to one for 24 years. I am currently dating one)

It doesn't mean I'll let you talk to me any kind of way though. It means I have a deep reserve of inner strength and patience that allows me to be calm yet firm.

So, the next time you encounter someone who leads with kindness and doesn’t react to negativity, remember this: they may be fighting an inner battle to be kind and could lose that battle and unleash all the pent in pain and anger.

Praying 🙏🏾 that I continue to move in peace and that I am not tested beyond my capacity to remain “nice”.

This is truly something I prayed for and worked on. It started with simply setting boundaries and cutting off people who don’t respect those boundaries. Life, however, will still place you in situations where you cannot avoid challenges.

I am proud of myself 🙌🏾

I would like to end this post by quoting Kendrick Lamar

“Therapy showed me how to open up! It also showed me I don't give a f*ck”

Be easy my friends 😘