Oct. 20 - The Best Thing Happens

Day 292 of a year of kindness

My friend Julie invited me to stay with her in a cabin in Maine while she attends a jewelry workshop. Fortunately, I can work remotely, so it was the perfect plan. A few weeks before she left, she was sharing her excitement about the trip with an acquaintance in her small town in Illinois.

Without missing a beat, this person said, “Well, it’s too bad that you're going to miss peak leaf season.”

Just like that, she took a little pin and popped Julie’s good spirits.

She could have just as easily said, “I hope you get to see peak leaf season.”

I thought about the Debby Downer exchange because I realized that I do that to myself sometimes. Today, my ankle was really hurting. And without even thinking, I just matter-of-factly resigned myself to a future of me limping along without any hops, skips or jumps in my life. Forever. But what if I imagined the best thing that could happen instead of the worst?

Last night, we arrived in Maine in the dark. When we woke up and stepped outside we were surrounded by the most beautiful multicolored trees - straight out of a movie. 

Peak. Leaf. Season.

Sometimes the best thing actually happens.Next year at this time, I’m going to be hopping, skipping and jumping. It’s really, really kind to let yourself imagine that the best thing can happen.

Science of Kindness: Research shows that optimism is kind because it’s linked to greater motivation, creativity, and problem-solving. When you believe good things are possible, you’re more likely to take kind, courageous steps toward them—and inspire others to do the same. #BeKind #KindnessCounts #KindnessCounts2025 #kindness #kindnesswins #optimism