The Strength of Kindness

Discovering people's greatest strengths is probably the number one reason I love what I do.  I feel like a treasure hunter sometimes, thrilled at the prospect of uncovering some hidden talents (or, more likely, a unique combination of talents) that someone possesses.

And yet I'll admit that there is one strength- oftentimes learned but sometimes generously bestowed on a few individuals- I tend overlook in the midst of the other more "lucrative" talents. This strength is, simply put, a capacity for kindness. It is one of the most important aspects of a person's potential, but so often gets way too little attention. After all, no adult would think of putting "I am kind" on their resume or business card or use it as a selling point in an interview. Yet how refreshing and effective is this trait to have in our working environments? We all know that when a person is both good at their work and displays kindness to others that she becomes a super star.  Through simple acts of generosity, she leads with integrity and positively influences the workplace.

I wonder if many of us are actually born to bestow kindness, but as we grow older we stop being as outward with our care taking. We gradually build up our competitive spirit to the point that our gentle souls diminish, and our nurturing inclinations take a back seat. We learn to put on an adult armor that shows we mean business, masking that tenderness we may have shown freely as children.

A very touching article in Guideposts Magazine reminded me of that pure, unadulterated kindness that children can bestow.  Jennifer Hubbard, mother of Sandy Hook elementary school student, Catherine Hubbard, wrote an insightful and touching essay about her daughter, Catherine, age six, who was one of the children who tragically died in the December 2012 shooting.  Reading this mother's words (albeit through tears) prompted me to remember what a gift kindness is, and how we cannot ever diminish its power or grow out of our own inclination to share it. Ms. Hubbard allows us to glimpse into young Catherine's life, which centered around her immense capacity and understanding of kindness, even at the tender age of six.

Here is a brief excerpt from this story:

"She could be shy around adults, like lots of little girls. With animals or other kids it was another story, especially with animals. She came alive with love, our own miniature flame-haired Dr. Doolittle. It was as if she couldn't contain her need to care for every living thing.

How many hours did Catherine spend in the backyard with her friends patiently training our old yellow Lab mix to jump over a stick? Hugging her. Picking her up, though she weighed twice as much as Catherine. She had a thing for critters-her pet bunny, her fish, the crickets in our yard on lazy summer nights, even the worms. Butterflies were a big deal. She'd gasp with delight when one landed on her hand, which they always seemed to do. Maybe it was because she'd whisper to them, 'Tell all your friends I'm kind.'

Yes, kind. Catherine knew what she was and how precious kindness is in this world.

Catherine's Business Card

Not long ago she made her own business cards with Catherine's Animal Shelter across the top.  Care Taker, she wrote under her name.  She handed them out to friends and to her first grade teacher at Sandy Hook.  [My husband,] Matt and I smiled at her sense of purpose.

She was never without some kind of animal, usually one of her unbelievably huge collection of stuffed toys. She piled them around her on the bed at night. In the morning she always picked one to put in her backpack for school, as if she had to have something with her to care for, even a stuffed animal."

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As tragic and heartbreaking as it is to know that such a lovely life has been cut horribly short, I'm hoping to let Catherine's example of open tenderness remind me to better appreciate kindness: In myself, in my clients and in my own gentle, tenderhearted daughter as well.



Note: Catherine's parents created a memorial in honor of their daughter's love for animal rescue.  They requested that any donations be sent to their local animal shelter. To date, with the generosity of hundreds of supporters, Catherine's vision is now becoming a reality. The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary is under way!