Don’t Be Afraid to Act Fucking Nice

As I’m out in the world exploring with my kiddos whether it’s on a run in the jogging stroller, walking around the neighborhood to a local ice cream shop or traveling on an airplane with all three littles, time and time again the thing that can INSTANTLY transform my meh into a YEH is kindness from a stranger.

Picture this: three hours into a challenging flight with both boys and baby Noa. My kids and I had just eaten an overly expensive, less-than-average lunch at the airport before boarding, then both boys proclaim they’re “starving” (great, another overly expensive, less-than-average purchase option on flight), Noa is WIDE awake due to her long lunch/airport nap and already OVER IT from a previous flight, and there’s an asshole in the seat in front of me who makes snide comments or shakes his head in disgust every time we move a muscle or Noa makes a sound. I pace the airplane like a psycho praying that somehow Noa will become sleepy during this process, and on my 400th lap up and down the plane, a woman mouths to me,

“You’re a great mom.”  

My entire face lit up. I smiled from ear to ear and tears formed in my eyes as I continued my lap to the way back (to bug the flight attendants because there’s literally nowhere to go on a flight with a baby that isn't in someone's way) of the plane.

Now, I’m empowered. I have 2 hours left until LAX and I can DO THIS. Fuck that dude with his negativity in front of me! I’m a great mom! It can’t be a coincidence that 12 seconds later Noa fell asleep in the carrier. I’m sure my energy relaxed her, too!

Once I was on a jog with Noa in the jogging stroller and had Lucca, our pup, too and I only had 20 minutes to get in this tiny bit of exercise before showering and going to speak on a panel. This was it. I had to pump up my energy or else I would not be active that day. As I was jogging along, every step felt next to impossible. While running through one of my fave neighborhoods to jog in, a man is crossing the street and looks at me (I’m expecting an annoying catcall) and says, “Keep going, mama!” It motivated me tenfold. I felt so strong! I told myself, “I can do this, it’s just a few more minutes of effort and I’ll feel so good later!” After a few blocks, I felt my energy drop again and my desire to walk/give up. Someone yelled out of their bedroom upstairs from a beautiful home, “You’re doing great!” Once again, I felt a surge of energy and just what I needed to carry me home. That’s it. TWO. MEASLY. SENTENCES. That transformed my day.

So, my point is this. BE FUCKING NICE. The concept we learned in elementary school, “don’t say anything if you don’t have anything nice to say,” has never been truer than it is right now. In this moment. In this current world. How can your words or actions affect others? You have NO idea unless you give it a try.



How can you spread some kindness today? Let me know in the comments below and connect with me on Instagram using #PhilosophieLove!