When I write my blogs some of the hashtags I use are kindness, smile, hope and resilience. These are words I have taken from the experiences in my book and my life. They aren’t words I flippantly throw at the end of a post. I like to think about and implement them in my life every day. Some days are easier than others.

I have spent much of my life trying to pick up the pieces of my self-esteem in an effort to make myself a whole functional person. Sure, I can write a book about my hurt, betrayal and subsequent healing. However, deep down remains that little girl who wants everyone to like her. When people act unreasonable it chips away at the invisible, protective shell I have built around me and pokes holes in my self-esteem allowing negativity and sadness permeate into who I am. After too much of this chipping eventually the heart of the little girl inside me breaks once again. Sometimes it breaks for a short amount of time, while at other times it takes a bit to repair the hurt and damage. When strangers are irrational and rude I have learned to let it roll off my shoulders fairly quickly, but when it is someone I know who is treating me poorly it is much more difficult. The more I love that person, the more unrelenting the pain is, making it much harder to let it go of the hurt.

And now it’s Monday. The day grumbled about from Sunday evening until Tuesday morning. As you walk through today and every day remember how kind words and actions towards others and a smile given to a stranger or a loved one can make a positive impact on their lives. It gives hope for the day, or longer, and allows that person to be resilient and strive for their best life. If you poke holes in someone else’s shell make sure it is in a positive way; help bring that tough exterior down instead of giving reason to make walls higher and more difficult to penetrate. Strive to be a person who patches the negative holes of others to make them feel whole and loved.

Happy Monday to everyone out there. I’m sending smiles and good wishes all around. Share the positivity to all whom you encounter.