As the saying goes, the first step is always the hardest but once you’ve conquered your fear and are brave enough to take the first step forward, all of a sudden you find yourself taking step two, step three and soon, your running full steam ahead!
There were times I couldn’t control my emotions and all of a sudden, I would be crying uncontrollably or laughing hysterically. (I do have an infectious laugh!) Without the help of others what could I do to continue learning and better myself? Baby steps.
I had shattered into a million pieces but when I decided it was time to put the pieces back together, what emerged was unexpected. I’m not perfect, no one is, and I don’t define my end goal in life as perfection but I have come back stronger, more resilient and it’s time to begin again, beginning with being kind. I was reminded of this by a beautiful film called Wonder, a surprising discovery on one of my many plane rides. I stumbled across this film with no expectations but I found myself pausing scene after scene, jotting down notes. The pinnacle message is a choice we all should make everyday - “When given the choice between being right or being kind choose kind.” * Each time a gem like this came up, I would catch myself smiling, crying and in these quiet yet surprising moments in life, I was reminded that it's the small things we chose to do that are the things that matter most. "The deeds are your monuments." *
When you look closely at one's actions, you can learn a lot about a person and about yourself and who you aspire to be. Starting with children. This is everyone's beginning. Who we were as a child and our childhood experiences define who we are today, whether we acknowledge them or not. It is the map that shows us where we came from and where we are going. Our childhood gives meaning to our live and its what makes us unique. No two individuals are the same and we realize everyone has a story. It's all the more reason to chose to be kind.
"Be kind, for everyone's fighting a hard battle. And if you really want to see what people are, all you have to do, is look." *
KAIZEN TRUTH
Begin with being kind.
Narrative: Kaizen
Photography: Wonder*
* Wonder, Film. 2017.
