Be A Little Kinder....

Anonymous and Encouraging Message Posted in University Restroom

By Good News Network Monday, January 21, 2013

A photo of a notebook page taped to a bathroom wall at her university has gone viral because of its encouraging and positive message.
The Reddit user, chellylauren, originally posted this introduction along with the message: "In a girls' bathroom stall at my university, girls have written about some of their most horrifying life experiences. This week, somebody replied."
The handwritten anonymous page read:

To the girl who was raped: You are so strong. I cannot fathom the pain you must have gone through. The fact that you have the bravery to write it (even on a bathroom wall) gives me hope.

To the girl with eating disorders: I promise you, although I don't know you, you are beautiful, you deserve your health. You deserve freedom from that hell.

To the girl with the alcoholic father: I am so sorry for the agony it must cause. Again, such courage is remarkable you must be such a strong person to see such pain.

To the girl whose father died: Missing them never goes away. The ache of their absence never goes away. But the love they had, the memories you share surely must last. I am sure, out of the bottom of my heart, the people who have left you in this world are exceptionally proud of the person you are.

Everytime (sic) I see these walls, these confessions, I feel so blessed to know I have the priviledge (sic) of seeing them. Your moments, these secrets, are all precious even though they are sad. To all of you (including those I did not mention, and those who have not yet written)

    -You are worthy.
    -You are strong.
    -You are brave.
    -You are loved.
    -Somebody cares.

After it was posted, messages of thanks were scrawled below:  "To the person who wrote this, thank you."

The GoodNewsNetwork is a little drop of sunshine in my emails each week, as I get an e-newsletter from their site with about 10-12 thumbnails of "good news" from around the world.  This one just touched me when I read it.  Maybe because I just got out of a meeting where the woes of high school students were briefly addressed, or because I have been in bathroom stalls with this kind of despair shared on the walls.  I wish I had been that bold, when I was in college especially, to share the hope this  letter offers those young women.

As you head out today, just remember to "be a little kinder than is necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle".  Have a happy day, friends.

On Inspiration

This series on GMA made me want to stop and think of what inspires me. I don't have a fancy, glossy, eight minute video presentation to show it, but I do have many sources of inspiration. I don't believe that this list is a definitive one, but it is a start. Perhaps, after this clip and my list, you will think of those poele who inspire you too. And then, tell them THANKS.

I am inspired by my parents.

I know they weren't perfect, and I know they never thought they were. But they did a pretty good job--against some pretty fierce odds in raising my sister and me. My grandparents lived with us for many years while their health declined and my mom cared for them while she cared for us. My dad works long hours doing something--for a while--that he didn't really like. But he did it to take care of us. Then, together, they took a chance on a new business, and worked themselves ragged making it prosperous. Meanwhile, at home, we were allowed pets, responsibilities, chores, opportunities and glimpses of things in the world that were different to help us appreciate what we had and open our minds to what could be.

I am inspired by my children.

I had no idea having kids would be such a learning experience. I knew I had the responsibility of teaching them the things they would need to know, but I had no idea that I would learn so much from them. They are both very different and consequently have different needs and both require different things from me. I find my self inspired to do better tomorrow when I blow it with them, or trying to duplicate the day when I get something right. They give me a reason to do the other things in my life--PTA, my callings in church, my hobbies. All of those things give me additional connections with my kids. All the things in my life, I hope, reflect just how much I love my family and what they mean to me.

I am inspired by volunteering, and then walking away.

Especially in PTA, I have seen the good that comes from selfless giving of my time and energy. But I also have seen how much more beneficial it is to the children I have served to finish my commitment and then move out of the way for another volunteer to fill my spot. The kids have that many more adults who can learn to love them and they can trust. The system gets another backer, another advocate for teachers and administrators. If I think I am indispensable, and never walk away from the situation, there is no allowance for my own growth, or that of any one else--who maybe could do it better than I did.

I am inspired by the teens I have worked with this past year or so.

They are standing on the brink of adulthood, and have so much to look forward to. They have made some accomplishments, and have goals for others. They are working to fulfill their dreams and are working out what dreams they might have down the road. They are full of energy and excitement and enthusiasm. Three of my favorite things. Best of all they have opened their hearts to include me in their lives and I am inspired to be a little better than I was for them for the next group I get to work with and learn to love.

I am inspired by teachers.

I did that job for a little while in my past life. I remember the sacrifice of time they make for their students. I know they sometimes are working in a hostile environment, and have many hoops to jump through. I am inspired by the care they take in their work quality and the connections they have with students that influence them for life--not just books. As school winds down this week, I am impressed by the endurance they exhibit too. May can be the longest month of the year when you factor in reviewing and testing, year end requirements, high level excitement for summer to come, parents' expectations, and continual preparation.


That is five groups that inspire me. There are many more, especially when I try to list them as individuals. I feel very blessed to have many friends and neighbors that have inspire me and continue to do so. But to keep myself for accidentally missing someone in a list, I won't name names.

And if you recognize yourself in this list today, I thank you.

Having inspiration can get me through some tough times and can remind me to enjoy the good times. I hope you find inspiration all around you today, and can use it to get you through too.

Lift Me Up and Calm Me Down

As some of you may know, Genius Golfer has been unemployed since last Wednesday. We knew it would be coming and were prepared, mostly, but I wanted to just thank all of you that have had uplifting words for me or thoughts that particularly calmed my wildly racing "what-if" mind.

We have savings stashed away and can live on that for a good while. The insurance was my biggest worry, but Dear Friend Kelly told me about a "major medical coverage" that is reasonably priced for individuals to carry, so that should be taken care of by next week. We have followed the counsel from the church to stay out of debt, so that is not the problem either. We have food storage to eat, and it is for just this sort of thing, so we won't starve. All in all, we can basically continue as we have all along.

GG doesn't have any plans at the moment. But he has played some of the best golf of his recent life in the past week. Must be the decrease in stress. He also tells me that he is sleeping so much better! Glad one of us is.

I just have an overactive worry-center in my mind. I think of things that could possibly happen, even far-fetched things that may or may not come along, but I worry about all those things. This is where good friends like you come in and save me. I have had some burger-therapy with Good Friends who tell me we are in good shape, and to trust GG and to trust the Lord. Things will be OK. When other people reinforce what I am trying to tell myself, I tend to listen to them (at least for the moment) a lot better than I hear myself.

I'll keep you all posted on the situation, but just know how much I appreciate the comfort and encouragement you offer as my friends. We WILL be fine. Just let me keep repeating that to myself and then you second that thought and I should begin to feel it too. I hope. Soon.