Be Kind. Rewind.
Each and every day, I worry about TheKiddo™ and whether we're teaching her the right lessons. And I worry about what happens when we're not in the room, or within earshot.
Part of this is the simple fact that it's a daddy's job to worry. And I'm very good at my job. So now, I'm capturing some of the lessons here. Perhaps years from now TheKiddo™ will have a reminder of what we hoped she would learn from us.
The basis for everything I hope TheKiddo™ learns is that kindness is a good thing.
While "rewinding" has no meaning to TheKiddo™ since there are no tapes of any kind in her world, the need to be kind is greater than ever. Especially to those whom she will never see.
It only takes a moment to think of others, and act on that thought. With VHS rentals and the genesis of "Be Kind Rewind," it was just the push of a button. So simple. So helpful. So thoughtful.
The video-rental clerks didn't have to add to their chores.
Future customers didn't start viewing a movie in the middle or at the end.
Best of all, it cost nothing to do it.
Granted, kindness isn't always noticed. Nor is it always rewarded. In fact, I've had bosses tell me to not be a "nice guy." So you can guess how they treat their staffs. Like disposable pieces of meat that didn't warrant consideration of any kind. They were basically from the your-paycheck-is-your-reward school of thought.
I will never treat someone I manage in that manner. Nor will I ever suggest that kindness, respect or being nice was a character flaw.
Their belief seems to be that kindness is weakness. They are wrong. And I hope TheKiddo™ realizes just how wrong it is.
I want her to learn that it takes more courage, more thought and more understanding of others to be kind.
The world can be an ugly place. Adding to that ugliness is simple and stupid. All you have to do is act out of total self interest and indifference to anyone else. Thinking is completely optional at that point.
Take a moment to think.
Take a moment to consider actions.
Take a moment to spread some kindness.
Push the button and rewind the tape for the next user. You probably won't even meet the people you affect. That makes it more important to think about your actions. The consequences are often invisible to you.
(Note: I originally posted these lessons on tumblr. With the ability to sink this blog to Google+, I am now moving everything here.)
Each and every day, I worry about TheKiddo™ and whether we're teaching her the right lessons. And I worry about what happens when we're not in the room, or within earshot.
Part of this is the simple fact that it's a daddy's job to worry. And I'm very good at my job. So now, I'm capturing some of the lessons here. Perhaps years from now TheKiddo™ will have a reminder of what we hoped she would learn from us.
The basis for everything I hope TheKiddo™ learns is that kindness is a good thing.
While "rewinding" has no meaning to TheKiddo™ since there are no tapes of any kind in her world, the need to be kind is greater than ever. Especially to those whom she will never see.
It only takes a moment to think of others, and act on that thought. With VHS rentals and the genesis of "Be Kind Rewind," it was just the push of a button. So simple. So helpful. So thoughtful.
The video-rental clerks didn't have to add to their chores.
Future customers didn't start viewing a movie in the middle or at the end.
Best of all, it cost nothing to do it.
Granted, kindness isn't always noticed. Nor is it always rewarded. In fact, I've had bosses tell me to not be a "nice guy." So you can guess how they treat their staffs. Like disposable pieces of meat that didn't warrant consideration of any kind. They were basically from the your-paycheck-is-your-reward school of thought.
I will never treat someone I manage in that manner. Nor will I ever suggest that kindness, respect or being nice was a character flaw.
Their belief seems to be that kindness is weakness. They are wrong. And I hope TheKiddo™ realizes just how wrong it is.
I want her to learn that it takes more courage, more thought and more understanding of others to be kind.
The world can be an ugly place. Adding to that ugliness is simple and stupid. All you have to do is act out of total self interest and indifference to anyone else. Thinking is completely optional at that point.
Take a moment to think.
Take a moment to consider actions.
Take a moment to spread some kindness.
Push the button and rewind the tape for the next user. You probably won't even meet the people you affect. That makes it more important to think about your actions. The consequences are often invisible to you.
(Note: I originally posted these lessons on tumblr. With the ability to sink this blog to Google+, I am now moving everything here.)
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