Tag: Kindness

Programming with Purpose

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

This is an amazing keynote talk my friend Ish gave in 2019 at Swiftfest Boston.  Swiftfest is a conference for iOS developers, but this isn’t a talk about formulas and code.  It’s a talk about Life and Goodness.  About breaking out of boundaries and fears and taking steps towards following our dreams.  It’s about enjoying life’s moments and not taking our loved ones for granted.  It’s about the actions we take that can change people’s lives.  And it’s about finding our purpose.

I know that in our rush society, people seem to want short snippets of videos and audio while they’re going about their days, so 25 minutes is an investment.  But–if I may–you owe it to yourself to watch this.  If you notice the tags below, this video covers just about everything.  (The original talk isn’t allowed to be posted, so I’m beyond grateful Ish has put this together.)

Ish has a way of speaking and thinking that puts people at ease and helps them tap into their true selves.  Even before I became close friends with him, he’d ask me how I was doing in such a sincere way, that I always stopped in my tracks to truly reflect and consider how I was, instead of resorting to the automatic, “Fine. And you?”.  He’s the guy people meet for the first time and feel like they’ve known forever.  People open up to him with stories and questions and conflicts and joys, because he really listens without judgement or assumption.  He helps people through their problems, not by giving advice, but by listening to what they say and holding the space for them to find their own conclusions.  I can say with absolute certainty, I would not be where I am today without him.

I realize I’ve digressed a bit, but I wanted to take a moment to share a little bit about Ish, because I am hoping it will inspire you to take a pause and watch this video.  A beautiful reminder about what is good in life and how we can help make it even better, just by being ourselves.

Hug Machine

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Hug Machine (2014)
by Scott Campbell

This book seems so crazy simple, but it is one I always love reading and re-reading with the kids.

A young boy calls himself the “hug machine.”  The book follows him as he hugs everything he sees–mailboxes, trees, babies, whales, you name it.  And that’s it.  That’s the book.  But, it’s just darling and sweet, and I love the boy’s enthusiasm for hugging.  The checklists on the endpapers are also a favorite of the kids.

(I also love that this is the book that introduced us to Emily Arrow.  I found her video of Hug Machine and fell in love with her immediately.)

Princess Academy

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Princess Academy (2005) by Shannon Hale

Fourteen-year-old, Miri, lives in the small village of Mount Eskel where almost everyone works in the quarry mining a special stone called linder.  Miri, who is exceptionally small for her age, has been forbidden by her father to join in quarry work.  Although she has her insecurities about not being able to contribute, Miri covers them with her funny stories, carefree talk, and good-natured personality.  Life is rough on the mountain, but nobody ever leaves.  That is, until, one day, a delegate from the palace arrives to announce that Mount Eskel was prophesied as the location of the prince’s future bride.  Now a princess academy is being set up at the base of Mount Eskel for all girls of eligible age.  Not many are pleased by this news, but they must obey the king.  An unfair tutor presides over the small academy, but despite a rough start, Miri proves her intelligence, determination, and bravery will change the fate of their village forever.

This book is a beautiful story that hits all the marks–friendship, courage, romance, family, learning, suspense, self-worth, community, and, yes, even a ball.  I have read this book too many times to count, but I will say that when I first stumbled across it many years ago, I was hesitant.  I’m wary of the “princess” culture that has bombarded our young girls in recent years and wasn’t so sure how I would feel about a book with the title, “Princess Academy.”  In truth, it was the lovely folk art style of the cover that drew me to the book (which I cannot find a link to now), and I’m so glad I judged this book by its cover, because everything inside is beautiful and perfect.  I’m delighted beyond belief that this is only the first of a trilogy of books, but I’ll always return to this one as my favorite.  This was also the book that brought me to Shannon Hale, and for that, I am forever grateful.

 

You might also enjoy:
Princess Academy: The Palace of Stone
Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters

There’s No Good Card for This

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There Is No Good Card for This:  What to Say and Do When Life is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love (2017)
by Kelsey Crowe and Emily McDowell

This book is such a gift to society, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to make a book like this required reading for everyone.  I kid myself in thinking that I grew up without anyone close to me experiencing any of Life’s “tough stuff.”  But, the more I think about, the more I realize I was just completely unaware.  I usually consider myself a fairly empathetic person, but, sadly, it wasn’t until quite recently in my life that I woke up and realized how poorly I’ve handled so much.  Being there for others, whether through an illness, a divorce, loss of a loved one, a job loss, or whatever it might be, is so very important.  I keep wondering how I can change the world or “save the world,” and, sometimes, it’s truly just being there for people that counts the most.  It’s all too easy when people are suffering through something to ignore the situation, avoid that person, or offer cliche words we’ve heard far too many times.  I think it wasn’t until I’d gone through some of this rough stuff myself that I realized just how hurtful some of these reactions can be.  And while I realize everyone is stumbling through and doing their best with what they know when it comes to supporting others through awful times, there are now beautiful resources like this one to help give us tools to be a little more graceful in our approach.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough.  The authors are genuine and helpful, without ever being judgmental.  It’s a book that should be read and re-read and taught through example.  Ms. Crowe offers, what looks like, awesome empathy courses, and Emily McDowell has a great and hilarious line of supportive, original greeting cards.