My girls always teach me so much. Truly, they do.

Recently, a friend of mine experienced tragedy in her life and my heart just broke for her. As she mourns the loss of her father, I wish there was something I could do to help. She assures me I’ve helped her tremendously, but in every way I feel inadequate. Loss is such a difficult circumstance. I know that these experiences require time to bring peace and healing, but I still wish I could give her more.

Though it seems a bit insignificant in the grand scheme of things, I bought a card so I could share sympathies from our family to hers. I forgot the card in our house as I was leaving for work on Monday and ran back inside to get it. Curious Maven asked what the card was and if she could see it. I was hesitant; I didn’t want any sticky finger prints to make it look less beautiful or for it to get crinkled or torn in any way. I took my chances though because she kept asking. As she held it and looked it over, she asked me what it said. I told her “with heartfelt sympathies” and she asked why I had it. I carefully explained that my friend was sad because her dad went to Heaven and that giving her a card would hopefully let her know we love her and are here for her. She held the card the whole ride, asking a few more questions here and there. Maven asked to come with me to deliver the card and to see my ‘sad friend’, but I told her I had to go to work without her and would be sure to deliver it on behalf of our entire family.

Shirt by The Limited | Pants by American Eagle | Shoes by Lucky Brand

It was at the end of the day when I was tucking Maven in for bed and we were talking about our favorite parts of the day – it’s our new nightly ritual – when she asked me, “mom, can you tell me about your sad friend?” I told her that I gave her the card and that I’m sure it was appreciated. She then asked me to tell her why my friend was sad again and after I did, replied, “We don’t want her to be sad, right? We should tell her that.”

Sometimes that sweet and challenging little lady makes my heart explode and brings tears to my eyes, like that night. She so genuinely cares about others and has the most beautiful way of talking about important topics that are pressing on her heart. Though I am her mother, she teaches me to be more caring nearly every day. Honestly, as I was tucking her in, I wasn’t even thinking about the conversation we had in the car earlier that day which is quite “uncaring” of me. And, if I’m going to be honest, I should admit that most days, I go about my business and am so focused on everything else going on that I likely miss opportunities to show how much I care.

I know caring doesn’t have to be extravagant. It can be the simple questions and curiosities that Maven has because sometimes just remembering is caring. Maven’s timing with her caring lesson comes at an opportune time because in the light of what is going on in our world, I think we could really use a revolution in caring. Inspired by collective impact strategies (that engage populations to make positive change), I’d like to share four actions to support a revolution in caring – fortified by my two year old because she’s the brains here ☺️.

4 ACTIONS TO SUPPORT A REVOLUTION IN CARING

1. Pay attention to what feeds your spirit. What inspires you? What is your why? What are you passionate about? What renews you? Take care of yourself and don’t be afraid to let others know what you need, too. Take action and feed your spirit with those things that make you whole.
2. Shine a light on what is happening. We can get caught up in the future, hypotheticals, what could be or should be, but what good is going on around you? Focus on it and magnify it in every way possible. Don’t be afraid to talk about it and encourage it too.
3. Tend to your garden. You know that little garden around you? Maybe it’s your family, your neighborhood, your child’s school, your church, your place of employment or your close circle of friends. Focus on your surroundings and nurture what is happening there. Put your energy into what surrounds you and impacts you because surely you will reap the rewards of tending to what you grow.
4. Display beauty. Let your heart be on display. By being open and honest and vulnerable and willing, you may touch hearts and open minds. And in turn, this world will collectively be a more beautiful place.

I thank God every day for these little girls I have – for what they give me and teach me and for exactly who they are. I can’t imagine a better way to show my love for them right now than to be a leader in this revolution of caring.

XO