kindness is the revolution

I have been feeling hopeless these days. I know a lot of us have. I had no hope that the senate was going to do anything other than what they did. I had no hope that women’s lives wouldn’t be threatened for telling the truth. I had no hope that a woman’s trauma would prevent a man from gaining even more power.

I’m beginning to lose hope in these supposed grown ups altogether.

But I’m lucky because I spend most of my time with people who are not grown ups, in my home and in my work. And I have nothing but hope when I look at these children.

I know my real work is to ensure they grow up with different messaging than what has created the adults currently in control of our government. So that’s where I’ll focus my protest and revolution.

I’ll make sure kids know they are in charge of their own bodies.

I won’t ever force a kid to hug me or give affection to anyone they don’t want to, not even as a joke or a game.

I will listen to their words and help them develop language to articulate their feelings.

I will stop commenting on their appearance, especially girls, because a person’s worth has nothing to do with their clothes or hair.

I will teach them that mistakes are inevitable, and still we are accountable for our actions and always take the chance to make it better and try again.

I will make sure they know it is always okay to walk away from people who are not giving them the respect they deserve.

And I will teach them to speak up for those who cannot.

Ultimately I will work every single day to make sure these children know they are inherently good and the most powerful, revolutionary thing that they can do is be kind.

(And then when they’re old enough, I’ll tell them two things. Be kind. And vote.)