MAKING THE COMMITMENT TO CHANGE

A couple years ago I decided I didn’t like who I’d become. I gossiped … about friends, about people I didn’t know, about family. And if there’s one trait I don’t like about other people, it’s being a gossip. I had become what I hate.

As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

 

The only person who can change ME is ME!

So I set out on a journey … to be kind. I think I always have been kind … maybe I should say I set out on a journey to be kindER.

I started making a conscious effort to do random acts of kindness. For people in my life. For strangers.

Most of the time, it’s not difficult to be kind. Random acts of kindness don’t have to cost money. Even though I do love to buy someone’s coffee or meal in the Starbucks or McDonald’s drive-thru. It could be something as simple as smiling at a stranger, or moving a shopping cart out of the middle of a parking space instead of grumbling about how lazy people are.

I have to say that I’m still not perfect and never expect to be. (That’s another pet peeve … people who DO think they’re perfect!) Do I still grumble at bad drivers? Yes.

But I’m trying!

I think the hardest part of trying to be kinder is not getting caught up in gossip. And when I do, I try to consciously stop … at that moment! I get really angry at myself … and disappointed … when I catch myself gossiping. I need to remember that everyone … EVERYONE … has a good side. Sometimes they just don’t show it. Sometimes they’re just having a really bad day. Sometimes their life is nothing what it appears to be.

I’m putting this out there … if you catch me gossiping … you’re more than welcome to call me out :0)

I’m making the commitment to be the change I want to see in ME.

What is there about you that you’d like to change? What are you going to do to make it happen? Make the commitment to be the change you want to see in YOU!