So, this past week was kind of eventful, to say the least, and my thoughts are all over the place, so bear with me.
I don’t plan my blogs ahead of time. I write stream of conscious, edit, and then edit some more. Sometimes I’m able to formulate my thoughts into coherent theses and bullet-pointed action steps, but this week’s feels a bit more like musings.
The world could use a hug right now
This past week felt like it was a few months—Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won their elections in Georgia, there was an attempted coup at the U.S. Capitol, and a wonderful voice talent and all-around nice guy, Brad Venable, passed away.
First of all, my condolences to everyone in the voiceover community who knew and loved Brad, and to his wife and family. It is terribly sad for someone so young and so well-loved to die.
Brad Venable wasn’t someone I knew well. I met him in person a few times, and conversed a little bit through VO forums, and I was always surprised that he remembered me. I knew he was respected in the industry, but I actually never knew what work he did, or what he was known for. I didn’t care about those things. What I cared about was that he was generous and kind. And that is what I will remember about him.
I’m struck lately by the stark contrast between people like Brad, who put kindness and generosity into the world, and others who either actively spew hatred or are simply insensitive to anyone’s needs but their own.
Contemplating the meaning of life…if only there weren’t so much light pollution in the city
This week, I’ve been listening to this podcast about consciousness that puts forward the idea that we are all part of the same consciousness, and therefore the idea that we are separate is an illusion. It’s a very eastern idea backed by research from some very forward-thinking high-level scientists.
In the podcast, the host says that if we take these ideas seriously, then any unkindness toward others is unkindness to ourselves. It’s something that religions have been saying (but not necessarily practicing) for millennia: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
I’m not a religious person, but my mom taught me that above all things: Just try your best to be a good person.
With everything that's happened this past year, it’s easy to get into the mindset of lack… to feel like you need to be looking out for yourself first and foremost.
When money is tight, people clamp down, and become less generous.
When time is scarce, people don’t make time for others.
When stress is the predominant feeling, people don’t freely share smiles or a kind word.
We need to remember that whatever we put out into the world multiplies. Any kindness or unkindness we put out into the world will eventually come back to us.
Karma doesn’t have to be a bitch
This is not just spiritual mumbo jumbo, though you can take it that way too.
Literally, if you show someone kindness, they are going to be in a better mood, and will treat you and others better. And if you repeatedly treat someone with disrespect, then it’s just pure cause and effect when someday you ask them for something and they tell you where to shove it. (Or, more likely, they just share the information around town, and all of a sudden you’re left wondering why your reputation is trash)
We are all part of the same ocean, and we send out ripples.
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
Are you sending out ripples of happiness? Or tidal waves of crap?
A lot of us have been taught that kindness is weakness. We’ve been taught to be strong. Invulnerable.
But kindness does NOT mean “be a doormat.” Kindness does NOT mean “don’t have boundaries.” When you give without healthy boundaries, that is not kindness but fear.
True kindness is a strength.
Kindness says:
I am not threatened by the outside world.
I believe in abundance.
I believe in generosity.
I believe that I do not need to be defensive, protective, or stingy about what I share with the world, because sharing my joy, my empathy, my kindness, and my generosity will always make my life better just as it makes better the lives of others.
Be kind to yourselves. Be kind to others. We need that right now.
Oh, and find yourself someone that looks at you like this cat looks at its owner…we all need that too.