Hi and welcome to my new blog, Kindness 364. 364? Why not 365, you ask? Well, it's fairly simply...365 was taken! And, well...since it's already January 2nd, I decided that this was fate.
The next questions you might be asking are, why this blog? What purpose does it serve? What can I get out of it? Well, my friends, let me take you on a little journey into the world of Karen and her quest to find Kindness 364 days of the year.
Here we go!
As I sit here to write my first blog entry, I am cozied up in my pjs at the kitchen table that has been passed down two generations, husband sitting across from me (reading some crazy zombie book that he keeps popping his head out of to explain to me why a zombie apocalypse could actually happen) and kids nestled in their beds fast asleep (well, mostly--one is stirring as I type), I can't help but wonder WHY?! Why am I so blessed with the gift of a house, a husband who loves me, two children, a dog who obeys commands, a car (two, actually), and so many other things when I have family, friends, relatives, coworkers, acquaintances who are faced with struggles beyond my comprehension? How is it fair?!
A little less than a month ago, our nation encountered a horrific tragedy during the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Though I thank God for my family daily, it still shook me to realize how precious life is...even sweet, innocent lives such as those lost in their safe place-an elementary school. Then, sadness hit home even more as I learned of first responders in my greater community being killed by selfish acts of hate and violence. It just so happened that this tragedy occurred on a very close family friend's 21st birthday-who also happens to be a volunteer fireman and knew the ones who were killed. All this got me thinking a lot about life and what it really is that I have to offer!
As a school social worker, my job is to listen. For 7 years in the career, I have heard stories of parents beating their children; young girls getting raped; what happens to your body when you huff too much at one time (it is horrific, trust me). I've listened as tiny little people explain to me how "Mom is sleeping with our neighbor, and that's why Daddy doesn't love her anymore". I've seen drawings of guns, grenades, blood, pills, and killers. And through all of this, I have come to realize that until each of us does SOMETHING, these things will continue to happen.
Perhaps it is because I am rapidly approaching my 30's, or maybe it is just because of my upbringing; but, I can't help but feel guilty for not doing more all these years. How can I be so equipped with the knowledge to help and sit back and just LISTEN?! When I was in high school and college, chances are you'd find me performing some act of service somewhere for someone. I lived and breathed helping others. Then, as I got older and busier (read: more consumed with bureaucracy and politics of real life), I lost sight of what was really important to me for so long.
I think it was in the shower, probably while rinsing conditioner out of my thick, frizzy, brunette mane (that I love, by the way), that I came to the conclusion that I need to do more! I need to be able to die (hopefully a long time from now) knowing my children will understand what it means to serve others and to empathize with those who need. I need to feel like my life was more than just going through the motions, day by day. I need to stand up and DO!
So! As a way of starting to DO, I will be documenting people, things, and places in my life that, for me, embrace the DO mentality. Through this blog, I hope to inspire others to DO, and when the going's tough and it's increasingly harder to get off our butts and help others when we feel so low in our own lives, I hope this blog serves as a safe space to remember that it is never too late to try! The other day, my sister reminded me that New Year's Resolutions "are a marathon not a race". I think that statement speaks volumes to what I am trying to do here. I hope, if nothing else, you can take a piece of this blog and find your own inspiration to DO and create the kindness our world so desperately needs 364 days of the year ;).
Peace and Love,
Karen
I need this! Thank you, Karen!
ReplyDelete