Kindness is Always Worth It

Some may never have gotten read.

Some may have hit the trash immediately after the last word was read.

But perhaps a few made a child feel special. 

Perhaps a few made a child feel like they were seen, valued and wanted in camp this summer. 

That’s why I wrote over 200 personal notes. Often staying up much too late the night before the last day, or finding spare moments during single day camps to write one note at a time.

I also spent too much time trying to pick the right motivational token for each kid. But those details matter to me.

The same with matching the color of the butterfly garden stake with the mesh bag- although that was possibly me needing to focus at times on things that don’t really matter but are easy to fix… 

I didn’t need to do this, write the notes, or give the little gifts. It won’t be the deciding factor in a family signing back up for camp, or recommending me to their company for consulting or speaking. 

Not everything we do needs to have a reason connected to a bottom line, or return on investment. 

I have built BMK by being me. I didn’t go to business school, I didn’t read the business books and I have never done things the way I was supposed to. 

The same continues now as I move into professional speaking and consulting. I just do what feels like the right thing to do, for me and for others- ignoring the games/politics that one is supposed to play. 

I was asked more than once if it was worth it to write these notes. 

If I defined worth by time and money- no. 

Good thing I don’t define worth in that way.

Many letters ended with me telling them that they are worthy of happiness, kindness and love, that they are enough, that they matter. 

The joy I got from writing to each kid was something I will never forget, and a reminder that no matter how busy we are, there is always time for kindness. 

And, when it comes to kindness, the return on your investment has to come from inside, don’t look for others for appreciation, focus on how it makes you feel, and let that be the motivation that carries you forward. 

Also, never underestimate the joy of writing with a good pen- if you have a favorite, please share! 

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About Becky

Becky Schmooke (pronounced “Smoke”) is a Mindful Leadership Consultant and Speaker, focused on providing action based mindfulness and leadership training to organizations and businesses who are ready to do things differently.

Becky’s Mindful Kitchen, is located outside of Iowa City, and provides truly unique team building and leadership retreats, strategic planning workshops, private parties and classes and weekly summer camps for kids. The commercial teaching kitchen, treehouse, archery range, bush craft skills, first aid training, wood fired pizza oven, chickens, baby goats and timber adventure playground provides endless opportunities for hands on activities.

As a mom to three girls, 60 chickens, 4 goats, 2 dogs and a fire fighter’s wife- life is never boring and provides Becky with endless stories which she uses to illustrate her approach to mindfulness in daily posts on social media.

In all that she does, Becky has one goal, to build confidence in others to take action to live their best life, not just pass time.