You see your chubby thighs; I see beautiful eyes.

You see a slow runner; I see strength at the barbell.

You see a mom who’s impatient in the morning; I see a fun-loving flexible mom in the afternoon.

You see last place on the bike; I see unmatched determination.

I see my craziness; you see creativity.

I see my emotional moodiness; you see a sensitive heart.

I see what I don’t know about riding; you see how far I’ve come.

I see size 12 when I want a size 8; you see beautiful curves.

When I look at you, my fellow human, I don’t see flaws. My eyes and heart converge on your strengths, your beautiful places. My eyes search out the things about you that stun, that move me, that trigger joy. I instinctively search for loveliness.

The world is a harsh place. Most of us are just looking for a little bit of joy, appreciation, and affirmation that we are worthy to be loved. Each person we meet is a soul inside of a body – and that soul may be dealing with fears and insecurities that we never see on the surface.

It’s time to build each other up. It’s time to counteract each other’s internal lies with an alternate truth. If you’re beautiful, I’m going to tell you. If you’re doing a great job with your kid, I’m going to mention it, and maybe in a way that half the world hears it. Call me a Pollyanna, but I’ve been on the receiving end of a genuine compliment. It sticks with me forever. So, there is no reason to hold back, to wait for another time. The time is NOW to change the world with a kind word.

“Life is short and we never have too much time for the gladdening of hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” – Henri Frederic Amiel