Acts of Rebellion

Hello All,

It must be the time of the year for awards shows! I love a good awards show, even if I have no idea who the people/shows/movies/songs/sports are. What I really love are the thank you speeches – funny, sentimental, inspirational, provocative. There have been two acceptance speeches this year that have made an impact on me – one because of the importance of being strong, the other because of the importance of kindness – both declared as acts of rebellion.

At the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, Alex Borstein took home the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy trophy for her work in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”. (For all of my wonderful family and friends who have awesome proofreading skills, I do know I am supposed to underline the title. I just have not figured out how to do that in this program! More to learn!) She honored many women in her acceptance speech – but the most touching part of her speech was when she dedicated her award to the “strength of a woman”. Ms. Borstein paid tribute to her mother and grandmother, both Holocaust survivors. She stated:

“They are immigrants, they are Holocaust survivors. My grandmother turned to a guard. She was in line to be shot into a pit and she said ‘What happens if I step out of line?’ He said ‘I don’t have the heart to shoot you, but someone will.’ And she stepped out of line. And for that, I’m here. And for that, my children are here. So step out of line ladies. Step out of line!”

What an incredible act of rebellion! I wonder if I could have done that in those incredible circumstances. She changed her world and gave her family their future.

The other acceptance speech was from one of my favorite singer/songwriters Pink. (And yes, I know her vocabulary is very similar to mine!) She was recently presented the Champion of 2019 at the People’s Choice Awards. She stated “Kindness today is an act of rebellion.” I must admit that statement took me by surprise. However, upon reflection, I understand why she made that comment. We are hearing less and less about kindness in our daily lives. We hear more about the bad and not as often the good. Civility, especially in politics, is almost nonexistent. We hear we are a nation divided (when we are actually people with the same needs, wants and dreams).

So it’s up to us (women and men) to step out of line, to have the strength to lead the rebellion of kindness. It is up to us to change the narrative of our lives and, perhaps (hopefully), have a positive impact on or for others. This actually doesn’t require speeches or letters to the editor. It requires that we are kind everyday. That we practice acts of kindness for others, both large and small. That we role model kindness to others. It can be as simple as holding the door open for someone. It can be providing a smile to a stranger – you never know if that is the only smile she/he gets that day. It can be volunteering, providing your time and treasures to organizations that lift others up. It can be mentoring others, sharing your lessons and feedback to help others succeed. It can be thanking others when they demonstrate kindness, providing positive reinforcement. It can be teaching your children that one never knows the burdens another carries, so kindness is critical. We are all on this crazy journey of life together!

Will this fix everything? Amelia Earhart is credited with saying that “A simple act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” It will take time. It will take talking AND, as importantly, listening. It will take energy. It will take all of us.

So starting today in this season of Thanksgiving, be bold! Step out of line! Be a rebel. Sow the seeds of kindness so that a whole forest can be rooted.

Kindness matters,

Phyl