Kindness is the word of the day!! Also, I found this quote I love,  “Writing is the hard manual labor of the mind.” .. I have noticed it is starting to come easier for me to write!! I am determined to get better and keep on keepin’ on. I have had plenty of moments that I’ve wanted to give up and tried to imagine how that would look. It doesn’t look good to me!!

It doesn’t get much better than this! As I get this blog post underway… My dog, Oscar is right here with me… I borrowed my husband’s cozy flannel jacket on this rainy day… with some of my favorite things surrounding me.

I had to run off our youngest kiddos.. so it could be quiet. I need it to be pretty quiet, so I can hear myself think. They may not feel that I was acting very kind… I would definitely say they weren’t being kind! Kind by definition is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. I know that I have worked hard to instill kindness in the values of our family!

It is said that the kindest people are the kindest because they know what it feels like to be hurt the most! I think there may be some truth to that! It is unfortunate, bittersweet and relatable to think about some of the kindest people I know going through painful things!! The happiest thought is seeing them come out stronger on the other side!! Do not mistake kindness for weakness!! I have let people take advantage of me in the past and even have found myself attracting people who’s value system doesn’t line up with mine. I am continuously working on healthy boundaries through counseling and putting those things into play. A lot of things are easier said than done. Deciding what you want your life to look like and then living it that way is important!! 

What has helped me to get through some of the hard parts in my life is believing the best is yet to come, I am here for a reason and realizing what I want to be remembered for in this world! I definitely don’t want to have a hard heart and be critical and unaccepting! 

I truly believe that the hard parts of my life’s journey have made me stronger and most definitely softer and it’s made me realize the impact of offering and receiving kindness. We can’t become so soft that we don’t achieve our goals because of the judgement of others! Pressing forward and working hard has only made me better! We can be kind by expressing our feelings in an acceptable manner.

The stress of financial hardship growing up, struggling with my health during recovery from a life altering car accident, being a teen parent, young married couple and having kids when we were still kids, fostering and adopting and all the challenges that came with it, starting a business against all odds, relocating and starting a larger salon location during a recession, the theft of our business belongings and the legal battle that followed~ facing bankruptcy and all the repercussions, AND OUR CURRENT CHALLENGE of being forced to not open our business for six weeks during this Covid-19 pandemic. We once had an attorney tell us> “We may think the worst thing is happening to us.. until the next worst thing comes along!”.. so true! Even during the worst of times, we can be kind!

It doesn’t change a situation to be an asshole, so in my opinion, you might as well BE KIND!! Honestly, being kind in hard circumstances often helps move things in the right direction! And if nothing more.. it makes you feel better about yourself! Kindness goes a long way! It can turn around a person’s whole day!

The most time my husband, Johnny and I have ever had off from working for income (in the last twenty years) is six consecutive days. We have worked our asses off to be able to provide. I am looking forward to the next phase of life. I still see hard work.. with more leisure and travel! We have had time away from our normal jobs.. as hairdressers when we were getting our businesses up and going.. remodeling can be more work than normal! We’ve grown up around renovating and the only things hired done were the things we couldn’t do ourselves.. like some plumbing and electrical… Still do it that way!

 As weird as it is.. I have been thankful for this time at home. We were in a better financial situation than we’ve ever been in in our life. We had been saving for a couple of trips we were going to take. I was planning to be in Chicago at this very time (first week of May) to watch my nieces while my brother, Rob and his wife, Suz were at the hospital having their third daughter, Amelia! I still can’t wait to see all of their fam! Zac, Violet and Abby are some cool kids!! I know I will see them just as soon as I can!! We were also planning a big 20 year anniversary trip to a beach destination. We will see what kind of beach is in store for us!

 I am sure we would have been in a very difficult situation without our savings, the stimulus money that came through and the SBA forgivable loan we were able to obtain! Mostly during this time we have worked harder than norm and I think we’ve chilled a bit more than norm! We got in some fifteen hour days.. painting the trim on our home… redid a bathroom and on to the next bathroom.. complete revamps, along with some organizational stuff and currently assisting a friend with painting his homestead! I am grateful in the way that the completion of projects has been way faster than it would have if we were working at the salon too. We are looking forward to enjoying the fruits of our labor!!

My grandmother, Esther Corzatt aka Granny Corz.. who was truly the most inspirational person to me.. was forever saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all.” She also said, “Pretty is as pretty does.” I live by these words! No, I am not perfect and have reacted in ways I wish I wouldn’t have. I have learned from those experiences and am forever working on the best version of myself. 

Granny Corz was also known for saying, “cancel that Lord” and dropping a couple of cuss words and in the same breath as saying a prayer! I get a lot of great qualities, such as these, from her!! 

I think more kindness should be spread around and less hate! We need to be more forgiving of what we differ with others about. Everyone has the right to their opinion. Although, it isn’t necessary to give our opinion when it may hurt others! Love and Kindness are never wasted.. they always make a difference.. they bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.

Be kind!

Yours in Style, Amber