I’m facing writer’s block. It doesn’t mean I don’t have words to pen, but I feel I don’t have an idea worthy enough of a story to share with my precious readers. But like any other artist with a white canvas, I’ll take a plunge and start this white page with a tiny splotch of words and hope that the splotch turns into a spark and that spark into a whole journey I can share with you in this post.
Recently I came across an Instagram post by Scary Mommy https://www.scarymommy.com/, (https://www.instagram.com/p/CMwu2RKAUdg/) where someone shared they lost their father when they were a kid, and other hockey dads offered to tie his shoelaces in a quiet kind way, thus filling the gap.
Nothing melts my heart more than these random acts of kindness. More so if they are performed quietly without seeking attention. Rest assured, these quiet ways are the loudest and the boldest way to impact this world. To heal this world one small act at a time.
We can act to fill the gap only after recognizing there is one. And empathy enables us to do just that. It is the precious precursor to filling the gap, a secret sauce towards building a collaborative world. There are recent studies and talks about growth mindset, which in simple terms means we can actually train our mind. So if you are not an empathetic person, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. You can develop this positive quality and help fill the gap of kindness in this heavily polarized world.
Looking back, many people have filled the gaps in my life. I’ve talked about some of these in my blog posts; STUMPED BY COVID is the most recent one. My family in India is oceans away, and my friends fill the gap for me, quietly offering help, celebrating successes, and hugging when times get tough.
If there is one thing I want my kids to learn and practice, it is to FILL THE GAP, to be the glue this world needs to lift others and sprinkle kindness.
That simple Instagram post left an indelible mark on my soul, causing a revolution in my mind and an inspiration that started this post as a simple splotch of words, ultimately taking you all on the journey with these words.
Thank you for taking this ride with me for the last many years.
Photo by <a href=”https://unsplash.com/@farnoosh95?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText”>Farnoosh Abdollahi</a> on <a href=”https://unsplash.com/s/photos/quotes?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText”>Unsplash</a>