“Go see Tami. She’s friendly. She’s professional. She’s patient. Most importantly, she’s kind.”

Those were the words spoken by a client to someone that they were referring to me. Those words touched me more deeply than she could have even imagined. I see numerous clients 4-6 days a week. And, I come in contact with strangers every day of my life. I never claim to be perfect. But, I proudly say that I am kind. To hear that I am viewed as such means the world to me.

There were many times in my life that I was not a nice person. I would purposely be rude to someone or cranky. Those times in my past haunt my dreams to this day. I was unkind, and that was not typical Tami.

I have always tried to see the silver lining, the glass half full, or the light at the end of the tunnel. If someone was being mean or ugly, I would wonder about what happened to them that day or in their life that put them in such a bad mood. I would wonder if a smile or a nice gesture would turn their day around or at least brighten it for a moment.

I love to spoil people with gifts, that’s no secret. But, I enjoy making someone smile the most. If I can stop a tear from falling, I try. If I can lift a spirit, I try. I know how it feels to be down. I have been on the receiving end of cruelty and abuse. I could have easily let those life experiences turn me into a dark, twisted, mean spirited person. I could have decided to be gruff and intolerant of those around me.

But, luckily, I have been the recipient of the most precious acts of kindness. Seeing and experiencing the two polar opposites of treatment, I chose the most difficult. I chose to be kind. I chose to not let those that wish harm or negative things on me to alter my heart and mind. I chose to look at the good side of everything. I chose to wish well for everyone that I encounter, whether they wished the same for me.

Why do I say it is difficult? Because, it is always easier to look at the bad than the good. Even when times are hard, I try to look at it from a different angle. It’s easy to say screw it, screw them! It’s difficult to say I hope their day or life gets better. Or, I wish them happiness.

I live my life with the purpose of being kind to anyone that I meet. You never know when one act of kindness may change a person’s life.

People talk behind the backs of others all of the time. On occasion it gets back to the person. I know a lot of negative things that have been said about me. Some of those things, well most of those things, are untrue. It’s nice to hear about the positive things said about me. Regardless of negative or positive gossip, I will always keep to my purpose. I will choose kindness over cruelty. Neither one costs money, but one costs more than I’m willing to give. The price of cruelty, on my part, is loss of sleep, regret, and shame. My heart and soul benefit from the priceless acts of kindness. So, if I have to decide between the two, I know my choice. Do you know yours?