KINDNESS MATTERS By: Patrick Hammer, Director of Parks & Recreation, Town of Erie and Farrell Buller, Leadership Coach & Financial Sustainability Consultant, 110%
There is a really amazing quote that has been floating around for a while that gently nudges us to embrace a practice or stance of kindness. Maybe you have seen it or possibly even used it over the last few years. “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” This is a quote, simple in delivery yet profound in meaning. The quote also provides a subtle hint of duality. You could read this as reminder to act kindly towards others, and you could flip the emphasis in the wording to remind others to be kind to you. As stated by Albert Schweitzer, “Constant kindness can accomplish as much as the sun making ice melt. Kindness causes misunderstandings, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”(1) Now, ask yourself what the quote would imply if it was completely rephrased to read “In a world where I can be anything, I will be kind to myself?” The use of “I” shifts the ownership inward and turns the statement into a proclamation. Often our first instinct is to position kindness towards another and shortchange the importance of being kind to ourselves. We are not downplaying the importance of outward kindness. If fact, we should all step up our game as much as possible. However, we are often seeing our professional peers not creating a regiment of being kind to themselves.
Farrell Buller (left) and Patrick Hammer (right)
As you begin the year, we encourage you to begin to include habits daily that demonstrate kindness towards yourself. While there are a myriad of opportunities, perhaps one that is simple in execution and profound in impact is going outside for a walk.(2) We are asking you to take a challenge of a 10-minute rejuvenation walk every day. Additionally, commit to completing this activity by yourself and setting the
intention of practicing kindness. We’d love to hear how this impacts your life over the next 30, 90, 180 days. Obviously, we won’t know what you will see, hear, smell or feel…but you will, and we are excited for you to find out! Resources: (1) Why Kindness Is So Important Lisa Shamblen, LLC (2) Google, Benefits of Walking outdoors.
Colorado Byline Magazine Connects CPRA Professionals and Suppliers
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26 • Colorado Byline | Winter 2022
