Commandment #2: Be kind

When I was making my 2009 commandments, I knew I wanted to include this. Being kind is hard to quantify - I'm just trying to do my best.

For me, this means letting things go, not rising to baited conversation, and trying to consider other people's perspectives.

When I feel like I want to say something that may not be kind, I ask myself these questions that my mentor suggested:
• Does this need to be said?
• Does this need to be said by me?
• Does this need to be said by me, now?

If the answer to these questions is not: "YES!!!" then I hold my tongue.

I've also found that the more I practice kindness, the more naturally it comes. Just like the more I'm grateful for the big and little things, the easier it is for me to think of things to be grateful for and to appreciate the good things.