kindness

Jaclyn Welsh blogger. photographer. joyful spirit.

Jaclyn Welsh is a blogger, photographer, and marketer who strives to walk through life with kindness in her words, joy in her spirit, and peace in her heart. http://polkadotteapot.wordpress.com

I believe in kindness. I believe in telling people how much I like them, and in creating spaces for others to enjoy. I believe in writing my own definitions of success, happiness, and love. Most importantly, I believe that to live well I must thank life for everything it gives me. Everything.

At times, life is disappointing, scary, and painful. Grief sits heavily on our chests, threatening to immobilize us forever. Depression whispers lies into our ears until that voice is so familiar we think it’s our own. People break promises and leave when we want them to stay. But, darling, those are not reasons to be intimidated by life. Those are not reasons to stop loving.

I have to be stronger than everything that tries to defeat me. I stare the very thing that scares me in the eye, invite it to sit down with me, and learn to love it. Then I thank it for the lesson, acknowledging that fear is nothing more than a catalyst for growth, and the only way to truly conquer anything is to love it.

It takes maturity to accept that life will bring pain, and courage to still insist on calling life beautiful. It’s like being caught in a downpour and instead of cursing the rain raising my hands to Heaven, humbled that God allows me to swim in His grace. Every day, we’re invited to swim in grace.

I develop my joyful spirit by being present and by delighting in every day. When it’s easier to criticize, I try to love. When the world looks bleak, I fill a canvas with beauty. When everyone around loses faith, I believe that gentle and loving hands are holding me.

I wish for you what I wish for myself. That I give life more than I take from it. That I stay curious, express my soul, and pursue everything that inspires me. That I love without expectation and let love change the melody of my life. And, when my song changes, that I sing it to someone else and provide light to another’s heart.

Above all, my wish is that we love whatever life gives us, realizing that even darkness is a gift.

- Jaclyn Welsh

Go Back

Every answer. Every day. Yep, it's free.

Comments

Every answer. Every day. Yep, it's free.

Explore More Meaning

Alexis Shepperd Life Coach. Authentic Relationship Builder.
Alexis Shepperd, Ph.D., is a life coach and co-founder of the Authentic Woman Experience, dedicated to passionate romantic relationships, sisterhood, and every woman’s birthright to adore her life. www.authenticwomanexperience.com
Dan Millman author. teacher. peaceful warrior.
Dan Millman, a former world champion athlete, martial arts instructor, and college professor, is a teacher and bestselling author with a worldwide audience. www.peacefulwarrior.com
Brooke Burke and Lisa Rosenblatt female empowerers. entrepreneurs. modern moms.
Lisa Rosenblatt and Brooke Burke are the CEOs of ModernMom.com, creating a community for the woman behind the mom. www.modernmom.com
Gabriel Luna-Ostaseki marketing expert. calfinder. community builder.
Gabriel Luna-Ostaseski co-founded CalFinder, where he directs global sales and operations. Before that, he managed Varsity Painting, one of the largest construction companies in California. www.linkedin.com/in/gabelunaostaseski
Laura Munson Author. New York Times Sensation. Passion Pursuer.
Laura Munson is the author of an internationally bestselling memoir. www.lauramunsonauthor.com
George Resch paradigm shifter. motivational pundit. serenity finder.
George Resch loves seeing light bulbs illuminate over people’s heads. He uses what he’s learned about life to spark paradigm shifts that help people feel better. www.happyisthenewrich.wordpress.com
Claire Zammit educator. co-leader. consciousness evolver.
Transformative educator, speaker, and writer Claire Zammit co-created The New Feminine Power courses and co-leads a thriving community of thousands of women throughout the world. www.FemininePower.com
Charles Sophy doctor. author. sweeper.
Dr. Charles Sophy has dedicated his life to the physical and mental well-being of children and families from all walks of life. www.drsophy.com
More

Today's Poll

When was the last time you sat down with someone and listened to their stories?

Our Take

kindness • The soft touch of compassionate grace.

Your Turn

When you think of ways others have been kind to you, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Why was that kindness important to you?
What are your definitions of happiness, success, and love?

Contributors

Don Jose Ruiz author. musician. shaman.
Don Jose Ruiz dedicates his life to combining and sharing new insights and ancient Toltec wisdom. He teaches and lectures around the world. www.miguelruiz.com
Maya Corinne legacy architect. earth mama. celebrity stylist.
Maya Corinne teaches conscious creative visionaries how to magnify privilege. Her studio has raised millions, and crafts values-infused giving plans for clients collectively worth more than $14 billion. www.moon-storm.com
Nic Askew filmmaker. musician. poet.
Nic Askew makes films. Short, black and white. Far beyond simple. Films that shake the soul. Made for those who have set out to consciously seek a meaningful life. www.soulbiographies.com
Bevin Lynch Life Coach. Event Mastermind.
Bevin Lynch is a life coach and the creator of The Well-Being Expo, a multi-city event that offers tools and information people can use to enhance their own well-being. www.bevinlynch.com
Stan Deland platoon commander. flower essencer. unraveler.
After returning home from being an Infantry Platoon Commander in the Marine Corps in Iraq, Stan Deland and Geoffrey Greenspahn launched the flower essence company Siddatech. www.siddatech.com
Leigh Taylor Young actress. environmental advisor. world peace representative.
Leigh Taylor Young is an Emmy Award-winning actress. She’s also been a Special Advisor in Arts and Media for the United Nations Environment Programme. www.lty.com
Gloria Kellett television writer. playwright. comedienne.
Gloria Calderón Kellett is an author, playwright, television comedy writer and producer, sketch comedy group member, stand-up comedian, and Alma award winner. www.everythinggloria.com
Jeff Youngs business consultant. coach. effective team creator.
Jeff Youngs is a business coach, author, and consultant. His rich experience and intuitive gifts are brought to every engagement in service to transforming his clients’ businesses and lives. www.youngscom.com
Regina Leeds zen organizer. author. inward seer.
Author, speaker, and zen organizer Regina Leeds brings order to home and work environments across the U.S. Her clientele runs the gamut from movie stars to business people and housewives. www.reginaleeds.com
Kamil Rustam Guitarist. Songwriter. Rhythm Rider.
Kamil Rustam is a French guitarist, composer, arranger, songwriter, producer, and a prolific musician. www.kamilrustam.com
Leonie Allan goddess. writer. guide.
Goddess Leonie is the creator of GoddessGuidebook.com, a popular creativity + spirituality website for women. www.goddessguidebook.com
John Mackey natural manager. innovator. love tuner.
John Mackey, Chairman and CEO of Whole Foods Market, is a leading practitioner of empowerment management. He co-founded FLOW, a think tank focusing on “Liberating the Entrepreneurial Spirit for Good.” www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Keith Ferrazzi personal relationship developer. life transformer. corporate wunderkind.
Keith Ferrazzi is an author, speaker, activist, and entrepreneur whose expertise in professional relationship development has transformed careers and lives worldwide. www.keithferrazzi.com
Sue Sommer teacher. author. world traveler.
Award-winning teacher Sue Sommer developed and teaches the English Honors and Creative Writing course for Marin School of the Arts at Novato High School. She also leads summer educational tours to Europe. www.newworldlibrary.com
Mark Gustawes producer. storyteller. j.k.ster.
Mark Gustawes is president of film and TV production at j.k. livin. www.jklivin.com
Regena Thomashauer author. mama. pleasure pioneer.
Regena Thomashauer (Mama Gena) is a revolution: an icon, teacher, author, mother, and a pioneer in researching the nature of pleasure and dedicating her life to the discipline of pleasure. www.mamagenas.com
Robert Greenwald producer. political activist. brave new filmmaker.
Robert Greenwald is a producer, director, political activist, and the founder of Brave New Films, which uses moving images to educate and empower viewers to take action on issues that matter. www.robertgreenwald.org
Kris Wittenberg promotional product developer. veteran entrepreneur. be gooder.
Kris Wittenberg, founder of Be Good to People, is a veteran entrepreneur whose company, SayNoMore! Promotions, is the go-to resource for promotional products. www.begoodtopeople.com
April Larson creative problem solver. writer. questioneer.
Writer, photographer, and creative problem solver April Larson founded The Questioneers, an organization providing children throughout the world with opportunities to participate in meaningful communication. www.thequestioneers.com
Lee Overtree creative teacher. storyteller. kid sparker.
Lee is an actor, director, and a founding member of Story Pirates. He enjoys playing music and being a teaching artist. www.storypirates.org
Alexandra Franzen promotional writer. personal supergirl. secret weapon.
Alexandra Franzen is a promotional writer and pro-active pimp who wrangles communications for pro-bloggers and helps entrepreneurs expand their empires--without the hassle of cloning. www.alexandrafranzen.com
Desmond Tutu archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. www.tutu.org
Eli Davidson Author. Motivational Speaker. Life Savorer.
Eli Davidson is a motivational speaker, internationally best-selling author, and executive coach who helps individuals and organizations re-kindle the zeal that fuels success. www.elidavidson.com
Gordon Neufeld developmental psychologist. synthesizer. door opener.
Dr. Gordon Neufeld is a Vancouver-based developmental psychologist with 40 years of experience with children and youth and those responsible for them. www.gordonneufeld.com
Harold Linde producer. creator. storyteller.
Film producer Harold Linde creates stories for our culture about living in harmony with the planet. www.freetheslaves.net
Sonia Choquette Author. Teacher. Intuitive.
Sonia Choquette - spiritual teacher, intuitive guide, and bestselling author - has a powerful ability to instantly liberate people from limitations and fears into a far more effective, spirit-guided life. www.trustyourvibes.com
Darrell W. Gurney Coach. Strategist. Career Changer.
Darrell W. Gurney has served as a career strategist to individuals for over 20 years, with a driving commitment to everyone’s purposeful Back Forty. www.thebackforty.com
Tinker Lindsay author. script consultant. wild imaginer.
Tinker Lindsay is an author, screenwriter, script consultant, and conceptual editor who’s written screenplays for major Hollywood studios and co-written a “mindful mystery” with Gay Hendricks. www.dharmadetective.com
Jonathan Parker author. spiritual transformer. teacher.
Jonathan Parker is an author and spiritual counselor with more than 30 years of experience teaching energy healing and enlightenment. He founded Quantum Quests International, Inc. www.JonathanParker.org
More

Connection

Every answer. Every day. Yep, it's free.