Inspiration to change my life...

After my step-sister passed away I had one of those "aha!" moments that completely changed my outlook on life. We were assigned a causes and controversies piece that week, and this is what I turned in.

Hope it inspires you to join the new army, the army of the kind.

A Simple Kindness Goes a Long Way

This is not an in-depth look into the human psyche. This is not a call to action. This is definitely not a controversy. This is real life. This is a wake-up call, my wake-up call and my own personal cause.

After losing someone very dear to me to cancer I realized for the umpteenth and last time that life is short, too short. And we all should make our own marks on this world before we embark on our next journey, wherever that may be.

Jill Hamilton-Locke, my step-sister, passed away in March at age 40. She had been battling colon and intestinal cancer for 14 years, going through several surgeries and many rounds of chemo. Her illness kept her from performing everyday activities like taking her son to school, but she never lost her amazing kindness. Her love for the people close to her made her fight harder and love stronger.

I was amazed at how many people showed up at her funeral services to pay respects to the family and reminisce about the beautiful and kind person we lost.

People she had known throughout her life were there: some from grade school, high school and college; some from work; family and extended family; doctors, nurses, patients from the hospital and chemo sessions, and people from her community. Some knew her for years, others for moments, but all had a story about how Jill touched their lives in a most influential way.

What this world needs is a new kind of army – the army of the kind. – Cleveland Amory, American author.

In my daze of sadness and hurt, I started wondering about who would show up if I passed away and what would they say about me. Jill had done so much good in her short time on this earth, what have I done? Whose life have I touched? Who have I helped become who or what they want to be?

Unfortunately, I cannot think of many. I am not selfish. I just didn’t realize until now the power of being a friendly person, or how far just one smile can go.

I did not know that life is too short and hard to live it alone. And being surrounded by good people can make things, no matter how awful, so much easier.

Jill’s fight against cancer was made easier by the people she loved and the people that loved her. Imagine what could be accomplished if more people had the network of friends and family – the support system – that she did.

This life is not about us. It isn’t “The (insert your name here) Show” 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This life is about the ones who have touched us and the ones that we touch. It is our loved ones, friends, family and acquaintances that make our life what it is. The people we let in our lives shape who we are, no matter if we’ve known them for 15 years or 15 seconds.

There is life beyond your own, dreams beyond your wildest aspirations, and love beyond the love of yourself.

I’m asking everyone to reach out and help someone. No matter how big or small the kindness, be sure that it will be appreciated.

Be that person that helps little granny across the street. Go out of your way to help the lady juggling groceries and a baby on her hip to open the car door.
Be kind. Smile at that stranger walking toward you. Leave a mark on this earth. Join the army of the kind.