"Wildflowers", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Wildflowers

My Dad recently passed away and in moving through and navigating this difficult season, I have to say that I’ve learned many lessons. This painting was inspired by one of those lessons and I'd like to share with you what I learned. Kindness. Plain, simple, kindness.

I know, we talk about it all the time. We even wear shirts saying “Be Kind” or “Kindness Matters”. But do we really walk the talk. Is kindness and the idea of it something we feel in our hearts and in the depths of our souls? Is kindness just a passing thought or a “nice” idea? How often do we meditate on it? Well, I have been thinking about it. A lot.

Have you considered the person that just “cut in front of you” on the highway? Maybe, just maybe, it was a single mother, late to work because her baby was sick. Maybe she was on the verge of losing her job because this was the second time in two weeks she was late and she has no support system. No close family or friends who can help her out during this difficult time with her sick child. Consider the man who bumped into you at the grocery store and didn’t make eye contact or say “excuse me”. He was in a daze and he should "watch what he's doing". Could it be that he is buying groceries to carry home to his spouse who is dealing with a terrible disease? Maybe someone you work with “blows up for no reason”. Maybe privately, they are waiting on test results to confirm a diagnosis that they never expected. A diagnosis that could turn his life upside down and affect his family in a devastating way.
My point is, everyone truly is fighting a battle. Instead of grumbling or passing judgement, we could just show people some grace and give them a break. We could take it one step further and offer a smile or open the door for someone. Instead of just saying “call me if you need anything”, actually take it a step further. Come over and sit with them and talk to them, listen to them, cry with them. Offer to watch the kids for an hour so Mom can run an important errand and not have to worry about getting the kids out. Cook a meal or bring a gift card for pizza for someone who is not able to do it. Visit a nursing home. Simply just smile, make eye contact with someone, start a casual conversation…put your phone down and be in the moment with someone. These are some of the things I intend to do in the future for hurting people. I won’t always get it right, I know this...I seldom get it right. But I am grateful for the lesson and I will do my best to honor this lesson while I’m here. Because kindness really, really does matter.

This painting will be available at Art in the Park in Parker, Colorado on August 24th.  I would love it if you could stop by and say hello!  And remember, stay kind!

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