I first saw the quote “cultivate kindness” on my cross country trip during the summer of 2016 with a program called Teens Westward Bound (TWB). We were shopping in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the cutest shop. My friends and I found the jewelry and these cute little bracelets with different sayings. I saw a small gold bracelet that read “Cultivate Kindness”. I immediately fell in love with the daintiness of the jewelry and the quote. I’ve literally worn it everyday since I got it. Shortly after I got the bracelet and returned home I decided I wanted a tattoo of the same quote. (yes I’ve been thinking about this tattoo for 2 years 💀) I always said if I ever got tattoos, they would be simple and meaningful. So why not get one that holds soooo much meaning.
These simple two words “cultivate kindness” mean so much to me. In 2016, the bracelet served as a reminder of my amazing, life changing trip. And not just a reminder of the cool road trip I went on, but rather my transformation before and after the trip. Serving as a reminder of how strong I am and how proud I should be of myself for persevering. It also serves as a reminder of optimism and positivity.
I always approach things with an optimistic mindset. To cultivate is to prepare, acquire, and develop. Preparing, acquiring, and developing kindness is important in professional settings and personal relationships… literally everything you approach in life should be approached with kindness. Cultivating kindness is very important because whatever you sow into people, work, or your life is what you will get back. I’m a STRONG believer of whatever you sow, you WILL reap. Every thing I approach, I give it 100%. Whether that’s work, volunteer work, my studies, positions in organizations at school, or just doing a small favor for a friend.
I also love people VERY hard and know I want others to treat me how I treat them. However, with having a big heart and giving everything 100%, I OFTEN have to remind myself not to let others walk over me because people always know “oh, naz will do it” or “naz got me”. And understanding that not everyone has my best interest at heart and they don’t live by the purpose of cultivating kindness, learning to say no is important. However, my goal is to always cultivate kindness and leave a mark of positivity, optimism, and kindness.
I think it’s easy to cultivate kindness because I know everything will be okay in the end because God is the author and finisher of our lives, so why not choose to be happy. Also, I think it’s easier and very important to be that kind soul in someone’s life because you never know what they’re going through or what they need. During the trip that I got the bracelet on, my close friends were without a doubt the kindness I needed in my life at the moment.
Kindness doesn’t just include giving hugs or smiling all the time, but being a rock, the one that prays for others, full heartedly supporting someone else’s successes, knowing yours is coming, being gentle, and most importantly being kind to yourself. Being around so many beautiful people that cultivated kindness in my life, reminded me that I had to cultivate it within myself before genuinely being there for others and sowing positivity into their lives.
So here’s to a life journey of preparing kindness within myself and staying true to my individuality, so that I can cultivate it everywhere I go and within everyone I meet. ✨
