Be Kind

I have always loved the Ellen Show. I love her philanthropy and the fact that she is always about what is kind and good and noble. She gives back to the community and she adds humor to everyday life. It is my goal to meet her and be on her show. I had a dream that she invited me on her show. It was the time of my life. It’s going to happen in real life. I just know it.

Every day on Ellen’s show she ends with “Be kind to one another.” We just never know what is going on in people’s lives. We don’t know what it took for a person to get to the place where they are at that very moment in time. People behave in ways that reflect their circumstances at times. At other times, we see people’s true colors good or bad.

Ducks are so beautiful as they gracefully swim across the water. What we see is grace and poise. What we don’t see is how hard they paddle with their feet under the water. We are ducks. We may look graceful and poised on the surface but underneath we may be fighting a battle no one knows about.

I had a photo shoot last week for promo items for my book launch. It was 98 degrees outside and 150% humidity. Both my photographer and I were sweating buckets shooting outdoor shots. We never mentioned the heat because we were on a mission. Complaining rarely accomplishes anything. I thought to myself, “I have sweat rolling down my back, sweat marks on the back of my shirt, sweat rolling down my neck, there is no way these photos won’t show this.” The photos came out AMAZING. Just what I wanted. And the sweat was not edited out.
​ The fact is that it’s barely even noticeable even to me and I knew I was sweating. To the outside person, it is not evident at all. You see, we never know what’s going on behind the scenes in people’s lives. They may be sweating bullets on the inside but look poised and composed on the outside. Or they may act out because of their turmoil. Always be kind. You never know what is going on under the water or behind the camera shot. Cut people some slack. None of us are getting out of here alive so let’s hold hands and stick together. And as Ellen says, Be kind to one another.

Watts in your frame? Photos were done by Rob Watts of Watts Photos. Visit his website at www.wattsphotos.com He has an eye for capturing the authentic you even with sweat running down his back.