The Power of Kindness

Over the last year, I have often said in conversations that although we are all in the same COVID storm, our “boats” are quite different. As a friend or a colleague, it’s important to truly ask how someone is doing; to understand what their “boat” looks like, so we can help them make it through this storm.

Thus, when I read the article about Spotify CEO Daniel Ek (“Spotify's CEO Just Boiled Down Everything You Need to Know About Emotional Intelligence Into Only 8 Words”), it resonated with me deeply. Ek’s eight words were "Be kind; everyone is on their own journey.” These eight words may sound simple, but I think they are incredibly powerful. 

Underneath that seemingly perfect persona we see on Zoom could be someone out of a job, or whose spouse is; someone struggling with a sick parent or child; someone suffering from mental health issues, infertility, or worried about someone else who is. We are all on our own journey, so be kind. When someone is in a rush, maybe there is a reason so let them skip the line. When someone does not call back right away, forgive them, as there is likely a reason.

It is easy to see our own struggles, shortcomings or challenges, but much harder to see and know what others are facing. Often, we see a glimpse of someone’s life -- their Instagram or LinkedIn post, or see them looking awesome as we run past them on the street -- and we assume their whole life is going great. And maybe it is. To me, the key is just not to assume that their boat is like ours or that their boat looks on the inside the way it does on the outside. The reality is this is rarely the case. Reality is often more complicated.

My boat looks solid from the outside. And that is what most people see. I have a great job at a company I love and an amazing husband who supports me. And if not for the genuine question, “how are you doing today?” from someone I believe really cares, that is all you might see. But the reality is, I struggle every day with a child with a chronic debilitating illness. I pray each morning that her pain will be a little less today, that she might be able to eat a quarter of a bagel for breakfast, make it through 30 minutes of schoolwork, or have the energy to call a friend to say hi. While it breaks my heart, it also reminds me there is so much more to people than what I readily see.

As we head into the Holidays, there has never been a more important time to take a step back and really see people so we can truly empathize, connect and meet them where they are. To be kind. And while we all are indeed on our own journey, we can be there for each other. Thank you, Daniel Ek for the reminder and the powerful words.