Being kind to yourself is the foundation for kindness to others Daniel Abrahams. You can't pour from an empty cup of kindness. When you prioritize self-care, manage stress effectively, and set healthy boundaries, you fill up your cup of kindness, which allows you to show up for others in a more authentic and impactful way.
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Someone told me a story many years ago in this context that has really stuck with me. A woman was on the NYC subway and a little girl in the seat behind her kept kicking her seat. Eventually, the woman turns around and says to the man sitting next to the child, "Would you please reign in your daughter?" (BTW, that relationship was assumptive, though it did turn out that he was in fact her father.)
The man sighed and, with a weary smile, said, "I am so sorry, ma'am. We've come from the hospital where my wife is very ill, and I've been up all night. I'm struggling to be a good parent right now, and I really do apologize for her behavior."
Not sure if the woman was mortified or not...not sure if the girl stopped kicking the seat...yet it is a poignant reminder of your very important message. Thanks so much for the reminder, Daniel Abrahams. And BTW, I have no idea if this story is true, however, it seems plausible enough!