I am not normally a fan of country music but there is one song by Tim McGraw called Humble and Kind that is FABULOUS.  It has definitely become one of my all-time favorite songs.  I think I have watched the video about 100 times and tear up EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

And not just because he’s easy on the eyes . . . .  

I think this song speaks to me because the message is so pertinent these days.  To us as a culture and also to me personally.

As for our culture, each day hammers another nail in the coffin sealing the sense that we have become a jaded and defensive society.  Kindness, in and of itself, does not appear to be valued or a priority for anyone anymore.  So much behavior I witness is either angry or combative.  Our current political climate certainly encourages this.  Every day there is another insult thrown out by our President, then a few more snide comments thrown back from whoever happens to be on the other side of his assault.  Each dawn seems to bring another tragedy.  Whether it is a shooting, a bombing, a threat of war or mother nature slapping us around with a natural disaster.  These events are becoming so commonplace that I fear we are almost desensitized to the extremeness of them.

As for personally, I have always been a somewhat defensive person and easily instigated, especially with certain people.  I don’t know why that is.  Maybe it is a result of a childhood experience.  After all isn’t everything?  Whatever the reason, as I grow older I see just how crucial it is to take off my battle armor, relax my resting bitch face and live a more tolerant and peaceful life.  There is no doubt that anger and irritation do not breed peace.  Life is short and can be hard enough without letting the little irritants that plague us every day make you angry or resentful.

So, when I first heard this song I nearly choked.  It rang so true to me.  All the anger and resentment I hold onto serves no one.  Neither does all the hatred and fear espoused each day by our so-called “leaders”.  It only breeds more anger and more violence.    Nothing good can possibly come from all this animosity and contempt.

But here’s the thing that I struggle with.  At times being humble and kind can be easy . . . . and then again . . . . other times it is absolutely not.  You would think that humility would be a natural way to feel.  Most of us have a lot to be thankful for.  I know I do.  I think most days I do feel grateful but sometimes the incidents of the day far too easily push that to the side and let petty things or the real dangers of the world open the door to rising anger.  The kind of anger that permeates everything you do and pretty much ruins your day, as well as the day of those around you.  I find that it takes a lot of strength and forethought to avoid giving in to the negative emotions that these things bring up.  Honestly, it can be exhausting.

You might think that this sounds a little bit like “not sweating the small stuff”.  And maybe it does.  But I am talking more about how the resentment bred from personal interactions, together with the outrage at the state of our culture, motivates all of our actions and reactions.  In many ways, we are now at our worst as angry people.  Humble and Kind reminds me of how much more important simply being kind is.  It calls attention to how drawing on our nonjudgmental and compassionate nature breeds more of the same, in you and others.  And it will most certainly ease up your daily stress levels.

So my keywords right now – those words I will repeat like a mantra until it becomes natural – are “let go and just be humble and kind”.  I’m hoping this might bring a little peace and a more healthy heart.

I think I’ll also keep listening to this song and highly recommend that you do too.  You can find it here: Humble and Kind, Tim McGraw.